Sabroom ICP and Land Port: Probabilities, Opportunities and Challenges.
Asokananda Raybardhan.
Sabroom, a small town that lies in the southern end of Tripura, is a sub division of South Tripura district. The Feni river flowing in the southern part of the town separates it from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. On the other side of the river Feni lies Ramgarh, a subdistrict of Chattagram. Lately, a Bridge has been raised over the river, connecting Sabroom and Ramgarh. The bridge is named "Bharat Bangladesh Maitri Setu-1", after the harmonious relationship that exists between both the countries.
This bridge brings forth possibilities of a new trade route. The state of Bharat is making strides in establishing an Integrated Check Post besides the bridge. All these are to ensure opening new horizons to the Indo-Bangla as well as South Asian trade scenario.
Since ancient times, the river Feni has served as a medium for the people across it to cross over. Apart from it's historical and cultural significance, the region is also geographically and politically aligned in the sweet spot to aid trade ties between the two nations. Especially when the state of Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides. There is also a possibility to connect other ASEAN countries, the likes of Mayanmar to south Tripura through Bangladesh, using this route. Although, Arunachal, Manipur and Mizoram share their borders with Mayanmar but those regions are considered very inaccessible. In comparison to those, the route via Bangladesh through Teknaf is more accessible and has been in practice for a long time. The newly constructed maitri bridge in Sabroom will ease our endeavours to access that route.
Historical Aspect: The aforesaid route that'll be explored in light of the inauguration of Maitri Setu and ICP is not an alien concept to the state of Tripura. Pre Independence, during the princely rule in Tripura, the state maintained a good social and political relationship with Mayanmar (formerly known as Arakan). During the sixth and seventh century, the Pilak region in southern Tripura was considered as a remarkable centre of study by the then Buddhist scholars. Many disciples of the Buddhist school of thinking from Mayanmar and also other parts of the world would visit Pilak then. And, the students and scholars from Mayanmar would cross the feni river using the same route in discussion.
Apart from this, in the year 1857 the waves of Sepoy Mutiny also managed to hit the Chattagram region and in the same year under the leadership of Havildaar Razab Ali Khan a mutiny was staged on 18th and 19th November, which resulted in rebel soldiers looting cash and ammunition and fleeing through the route in discussion. The then capt. P H K Dewool, leader of the 34 regiment, Chattagram, wrote a letter on 18th November to the Major General Sir J Hearsey KCB describing the recent affairs. The letter read,
" I have been informed by a native named Thakur Bux formerly jemadar of Chittagong provincial battalion, whom the mutineerse forced to go some distance with them, that the pay-habilder of number 4- company named Rujab Ali Khan, has assumed command of the detectment, which we hear has crossed the Feny River and entered the territories of Rajah of Tiperah."
(Orlich Leopold Von (1858) - The Mutiny of India: Its origin and its result, T and W Boone, 29 newbond street.).
Clearly the region mentioned here belongs to Sabroom. Implying these revolutionaries fled to Manipur while using the route over Feni via Sabroom. Also, many official documents from that period suggest that many rebel soldiers used the same route to travel to Nepal via Sylhet and Tripura.
( চট্টগ্রামের সংগ্রামী ইতিহাস মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সামরিক অভিযান প্রথম খন্ড)
The most recent influence of significance exerted by this route was when in 1971 the beginning of Bangladesh liberation war was marked by the marched procession demanding independence raised their voices in Chattagram. The armed revolt also began in the same region. During that period the Bangladeshi freedom fighters took refuge in Sabroom while crossing Feni via Ramgarh. The revolutionary leaders set up No.1 Sector HQ in Sabroom's Harina region and operated the liberation war from there with Sabroom serving as a strong base.
Positional advantage and Communication services:
The ICT established in Sabroom has not only benefited Sabroom's status but has also managed to put the old City of Ramgarh in the trade map. In a result of which, a rapid growth in infrastructure and other general services is set to be expected in the Hilly regions of Chattagram. Bangladesh's mainland cities will be more accessible through road and railways via Sabroom. In mere 45 minutes, after reaching Ramgarh from Sabroom, one can reach Bishwa road through Baraiyarhat and then head towards any major cities of Bangladesh. Three Seas and river ports of Bangladesh in total can be accessed from Sabroom. Chattagram is a notable port of Bangladesh and also one of the largest. This port is only 72km in distance from Sabroom. In addition, the first deep sea port of Bangladesh situated in Matarbari of Maheshkhali subdistrict of Coxsbazar can be accessed. The same can be said about the fourth sea port. Apart from that, the Mangla port situated in the south west of Bangladesh in Khulna district which is also the nation's second largest and second most busy port can be accessed from Sabroom.
This port is also connected to the rest of the country through railways by the grace of being placed next to Khulna. In addition, Mirsarai economic region of Bangladesh can also be included as a close region to Sabroom ICP. Using the Chattagram port, in only three hours it is possible to bring in transcripment goods deep inside our country. From here, the goods can be decentralised to the rest of the 8 north eastern states in this region using roads and railways. An estimated population of 5crores can be benefitted from this. In present, the North East has to rely on Kolkata Ports for many such goods which have to cross 1200 kms. Getting goods from Chattagram port not only reduces the distance and time but also ensures a massive reduction in fuel consumption. Also, the tax paid by Indian government formerly to the Bangladesh government for using their land to bring in goods from Chattagram port will now be relatively lowered. As the trade route becomes shorter by multiple folds, the small and medium scale businesses will be benefitted as they can now opt for small and cheaper mode of transports. In addition, the cargo building present in the Sabroom ICP will ensure the storage of goods here.
Another notable instance here is, almost every year during the monsoons , the likes of Tripura, Mizoram and Barak valley of Assam are left stranded due to frequent and devastating avalanches. These regions become inaccessible and all means of land transportation are abruptly left at hault. With Sabroom ICP coming into the picture, this could be a permanent solution to this distressing problem. Using Sabroom ICT even the Bangladesh government can make a direct accessible trade route to Sylhet from Mymensingh, through Sabroom via Khowai, Kamalpur, Kailashar and Karimganj of Assam.
Bangladesh can profit from the advance road and transport infrastructure of our state. In addition if the Bangladesh railway is extend to Nazirhat to Ramgarh of Chattagram, this then will ease the logistics. Access to Mayanmar via the city of Teknaf will make Sabroom a trade corridor with respect to not only Bangladesh but South East Asia. An uprise of a river port surrounding the ICP is also highly probable. Case in point, the Muhuri project in Bangladesh. So, this is not impossible as it is also known that Feni would once see many vessels float over it in the past. With time and decreasing depth that has stopped but can be redeemed if need be. If this could be done, then using the Sabroom ICP as a base we can import many goods through river and waterways from the likes of Mirsharai and also get access to their famous tourist spots.
The massive potential in Sabroom's Special Economic Zone, preparations and amenities: The West Jalefa region surrounding the ICP and railway station in Sabroom is witnessing a fast growing project to attain the status of Special Economic Zone to the region. Here, many industries which are mainly dependent on agriculture like tea and food processing, bamboo crafts, textile industry, rubber industry, handicrafts and other small cottage industries will receive huge boost and also formation of new such industries will be experienced in this region. Using this Sabroom ICP as a gateway Tripura and other northeastern states can export processed raw materials as well as raw materials that are in demand in other south Asian countries including the inner territories of Bangladesh and also reduce the transportation cost to many mainland cities of our own country.
Import and Export Opportunities via Sabroom ICP and Land port:
Sabroom ICP can easily be a gateway for import export of both goods as well as services. Speaking of goods, we may name rubber foremostly. This region produces the best quality rubber. With the advent of SEZ enabled industrial hub in Sabroom, processed as well as raw rubber can be exported and sold outside the country in relatively lower expenses. Apart from this, Tripura and other north eastern states are also known for their superior tea production. During the British era, it was fairly common to see Tripura produced tea being sold in the Chattagram Tea market. Needless to say, post partition, this practice was not to be seen again. However, we stand in a time when this can be a reality again. One more niche produce from the state can be the Queen Pineapple, which has now created a buzz and high demand across the globe. In recent times, these pineapples have been exported to the Arab Emirates. Sabroom ICP can aid this process and also if Sabroom was to turn into an industrial hub slowly, procurement of processed forms of such products will be more viable and hence business will boom. Apart from these, spices, minerals and rare rocks found in northeastern states of the Country can be exported to Bangladesh via Sabroom ICP.
We can also import textile, clothing, fish and dry fish from regions of Bangladesh that were difficult to access previously. Dry fish is a delicacy enjoyed in the northeastern states. Additionally, we can import bricks from Bangladesh at a much cheaper rate.
As far as services are concerned trade ties in tourism , education and health and wellness can and should be strengthened. North-Eastern people in general have to travel thousands of kilometers if they wish to visit a beach and sit and relax by the sea. The Sabroom Maitri Setu-1 enables a route that provides a swift commute to Coxsbazaar beach, which also happens to be the largest beach in this region. There are multiple pilgrimages situated within Bangladesh that are considered very holy by the Hindus, the Hindu population from this side can visit the other side of Feni and attain peace and relaxation. The Bangladeshi people can also use this route to get faster access to Indian railways, some might also opt to tour Tripura and use its airport to move to other parts of India and take a tour of those as well. Many patients from Bangladesh visit India every year to get treatment and healthcare facilities. Generally only the wealthy folks are privy to such services. With this new route enabled, the lower strata of the society might feel more empowered in this manner and find themselves cheaper access to said facilities. People on both sides of the river share similar cultures, languages and attires, so they might feel less alienated when travelling to the other country through this route. Based on such services the hospitality industry is bound to witness a boom in their business, we can also see the rise in numbers of hotels and lodges which will thereby create more vacancies for staffs and give birth to a new work force.
Challenges barring Sabroom ICP and land port from being fully functional: The Maitri Setu Bridge project commenced its journey in 2015 and had managed to lay the final brick in 2021. On 9th March 2021, PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh' Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 412m long and 14.80m wide bridge on a video conference. Almost three years past its inauguration the Maitri Bridge is yet to be deemed as functional. The land port, the construction of which began around the same frame of time as the bridge itself, the project remains yet to be finished. It seems to be a very slow paced endeavor indeed. Although, notably, despite of the presence of staff quarters along with all the necessary amenities, there has been lack of staff required at least to commence the human movement across the bridge.
On the other side of it, Bangladesh shows no significant advancement in its ICP establishment. Only the passenger terminal besides the bridge has been inaugurated on the 14th of last November. And, even that is non functional alike its counterpart. According to sources across the borders, the Ramgarh land port constructions might begin soon. Apart from this, the extension of railways from Nazirhat to Ramgarh is still in its preliminary phase. The scenario seems more in complete disregards to the high hopes peddled on both sides of the border. The people seeks necessary intervention from the higher authorities of both the nation, they hope to see their leaders conducting board meetings if needed be and discuss all the protocols concerning the international borders and come to a swift resolution. People across borders hope their leaders to be lenient for the sake of the prosperity of their people. This bridge holds a lot of emotional value for the people of India and Bangladesh. Which is why there has been an increase of demands where people are being vocal about at least letting the people cross over until the policies over goods and transports are finalized. If this happens, it will only further promote harmony and will also exhibit the demand for local goods among the people on both the sides.
In Conclusion, it can be said that the huge body of work and endeavors taken up concerning the Maitri Setu bridge, ICP and land port in Sabroom is undoubtedly promising of a much much better future for the city. It now holds the huge potential of becoming the trade capital in northeast and also an important connecting spot with respect to the south east Asian countries. Only time is to tell if it realizes that potentials and if we live to see the day when it does. The people are counting days now, with hopeful eyes, looking across the river Feni, on the other side, delving their minds into the infinite possibilities held by the piece of land on the other side. Maitri (allyship) Setu has already brought together countless people, at least in their thoughts and ideas without being functional on paper. Let's hope in its full glory it only serves to do more.
(The writer is an eminent socio-cultural researchist columnist of Tripura. He presented this paper as an invitee guest speaker on the conference, "Technical Consultation On Upcoming ICP in Sabroom : Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges", organized by Asian Confluence, a research institute from Shillong.)
