Agartala: Six years after the finalisation of a new India-Bangladesh railway project, the Indian government has sanctioned Rs.580 crore for the vital rail link, reports Indian media on Tuesday.

The Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway project was finalised in January 2010 when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during her visit to New Delhi.

‘Following the Tripura government’s persistent persuasion and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) intervention, the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) ministry has agreed to provide Rs.580 crore for the new railway project,’ Tripura government’s transport Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik told reporters.

During his recent visit to Tripura, Sinha said the PMO has been supervising the new India-Bangladesh railway project with Tripura.

‘The Indian government is according highest priority to the Agartala-Akhaura railway project that would automatically connect the rail network of both the countries,’ Sinha said.

He said the Agartala-Akhaura railway project would provide a major boost to development and economy of the northeastern region of India and eastern Bangladesh.

Modi discussed the over Rs.1,000 crore railway project with Hasina during his visit to Dhaka in June last year.

Currently, India and Bangladesh have four rail links with West Bengal.