Tripura: Bad roads adversely affect trade with Bangladesh.

Agartala: International trade between Tripura and Bangladesh through Srimanatapur Integrated Check Post under Sepahijala District has been severely affected due to dilapidated roads.

Manager Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), Agartala Debasish Nandi said that due to the complex geographical location of the road – within 150 yards of international borders – any new construction or maintenance work is approved by Bangladesh.
He added, “The strategic road that connects Srimantapur ICP with Bangladesh is in a very bad condition. We are trying to restore the road but since there is an international agreement under which the two countries Reconstruction within 150 yards of international borders has been halted, so the impasse is hampering exports through the ICP.
According to Nandi, plans are also afoot to open an ICP for the immigration of international tourists. “We do not want the immigration process through ICP to be smooth and tourist-friendly. Traders who are exporting or importing goods have also raised the issue with the concerned authorities,” he said.

The official was talking to representatives of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) and All Tripura Merchant Association (ATMA) on the sidelines of the ICP visit.
Speaking on the occasion, Ratan Saha, President, IBCC and a well-known businessman from Tripura said, “We have come here to inspect the road. With the onset of monsoon, this task will become more difficult. We will take up the matter with the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh and seek his intervention to resolve the issue.

The delegates also talked to local traders using the main trade route to find out the issues facing them. IBCC Secretary Sujit Rai said, “It is not only Indian traders who are facing problems. Both the countries are equally affected by the poor condition of the roads. Will draw attention.