Tripura transportation through Bangladeshi ports: Guv

Agartala, Jan 26 (IANS) Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais on Sunday said that the tough and challenging transportation in hilly Tripura and other northeastern states would be eased with the use of Bangladeshi ports and new waterway connectivity between Tripura and the neighbouring country.

The Governor was speaking after unfurling the national flag at the ceremonial function on the 71st Republic at the Assam Rifles ground here.

He said that the Bangladesh government has already indicated to allow India's northeastern states to ferry goods through the region and other parts of the country by using the Chittagong international port and Mongla port.

"If the proposed waterway connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh is established, the tough and challenging transportation in mountainous Tripura and other northeastern states would be much easier," he added.

Bais said that the Indian government has undertaken a new Agartala-Akhaura railway project to link Agartala railway station with the Bangladeshi railway network to ferry goods to the region from the other parts of the country via Bangladesh.

"The state government has been following the model of HIRA (H for highway, I for Internet way, R for roadways and A for Airways) concept to turn Tripura into a model state in the country. To provide organic vegetables and fruits to the people, the state government has been supporting 9,000 farmers to cultivate organic vegetables and fruits in 6,000 hectares of land in Tripura," the governor added.

He also said that by further expanding the natural rubber cultivation and processing the rubber produce, Tripura has been earning huge revenue and also providing employment.

The Governor said that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum was started keeping in mind the opportunities for finding talent and giving the students practical education and equal opportunity for education.

Bais said that a major ethnic problem of Tripura was recently solved with the central and Tripura governments' decision to rehabilitate Mizoram's 34,000 Reang tribals in Tripura. These tribals sheltered in Tripura after they fled from the neighbouring state 23 years ago following ethnic unrest in Mizoram.

The governor has claimed that 10 per cent of crimes against women have been reduced in the past two years in Tripura while the conviction rate has increased to 47 per cent from the previous 29 per cent.

"Violence could achieve nothing, only dialogue could solve many intricate issues," he added.