South Tripura District Magistrate, Saju Waheed A, announced that the much-awaited India-Bangladesh friendship bridge — Maitri Setu — will be ready for use by next month. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the third integrated check post (ICP) at Sabroom to unlock new avenues of trade and communication between Southeast Asia and northeast India.
He held a meeting followed by a visit to the area with the officials of Landport Authority of India, BSF, State Electricity Corporation and sanitation department to review the preparation and completion of the work and whatever was left for opening of the immigration counter.
“We are working on a plan to open an immigration counter at Maitri Setu to facilitate cross-border movement from September 1. Initially, there will be no cargo but passenger movement through Sabroom on Maitri Setu. Gradually, when the system stabilises and more infrastructure added, cargo movement will start,” Saju said.
According to the decision, jawans of 126 battalion BSF will guard the Indian side while 96 battalion of Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) will secure the Bangladesh side to facilitate passengers’ movement between the two countries. Maitri Setu will facilitate travel from the southern districts of Bangladesh, including Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts to India through Tripura and movement of international cargo from Chittagong sea port.
