Dhaka, Delhi agree to install cross-border power cable
By IANSTuesday, February 23, 2010
DHAKA - Bangladesh and India have agreed to lay a cross-border power cable to light up Dahagram and Angarpota, the Bangladeshi enclaves in Indian territory.
The agreement was reached at a district magistrate-level meeting between the two countries near the Tin Bigha Corridor inside India at the initiative of the Indian government.
The underground electric cable will be laid through the Tin Bigha Corridor from March 1, according to BSS, the official news agency of Bangladesh.
Dahagram and Angarpota in Lalmonirhat district are Bangladeshi enclaves that are connected with the rest of Bangladesh through the Tin Bigha Corridor, a tiny area leased by Bangladesh but controlled by India.
The corridor, located in India’s Cooch Behar district, is open daily during day, but only every second hour.
The power pact is part of the initiative taken by the neighbours in the wake of the India visit last month of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A private business firm of Bangladesh will set up the cable network, and complete the work by March 16.
“If required, the installation of the cables might be continued till March 20,” an official told BSS after the meeting.
Earlier, as per directions of the two governments, the border forces of the neighbours - Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) - coordinated the initiative for supplying electricity to Dahagram and Angarpota.
District Magistrate (DM) and Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat Md Alauddin Fakir led the five-member Bangladesh delegation, while DM of Cooch Behar Sreemoti Mohapatra led the five-member Indian delegation in the meeting.
The Indian side assured it would extend all possible cooperation for reaching electricity to the people of Dahagram and Angarpota, The Daily Star newspaper said.
The Bangladesh delegation also proposed keeping the Tin Bigha Corridor open round the clock, resolving the long-standing enclave issues and construction of a flyover by the Indian side on the corridor.
The Indian delegation appreciated the proposals and assured that they would be raised before the concerned higher Indian authorities for further steps.
