Generally, construction of any structure on the ‘zero line’ is not permitted.
India Bangladesh ties: The Tripura government will raise the issue of the reconstruction of the embankment in Bangladesh at the upcoming meeting of the Joint River Commission between the two countries, part of which falls on the ‘zero line’ of the international border, an official said.
He mentioned that Bangladesh is reconstructing a large section of the embankment in Alinagar in Moulvibazar district, close to Tripura’s Rangauti and some parts of the structure are on the ‘zero line’, causing widespread anger among the people in the bordering sub-district of Kailashahar in Unakoti district of the northeastern state.
Bangladesh did not seek permission from India
Sudhan Debbarma, chief engineer of the Water Resources Department, alleged that the Bangladesh government did not even seek consent from Indian authorities for the reconstruction of parts of the embankment located on the zero line.
The chief engineer told PTI Bhasha, “The Bangladesh government has started repair work on the embankment in Alinagar, as its structure was severely damaged during the last monsoon. According to the information received so far, they have constructed about 200 meters of the six-kilometer-long embankment on the zero line during the repairs. The Bangladesh government did not take any permission from us, and this is a violation of the guidelines of the Joint River Commission.”
Work was halted when India raised objections
He said that the repair work has been stopped after the Indian side raised objections, and the BSF has been instructed not to carry out any work on the ‘zero line’ until a friendly resolution of the matter is reached. The ‘zero line’ extends 150 yards into the territories of both countries from the border pillar.
Generally, construction of any structure on the ‘zero line’ is not permitted, but it can be done by mutual consent. Debbarma said, “The state government will raise this issue in the Joint River Commission meeting to be held in Kolkata in March.”
