{{short description|Bridge between India and Bangladesh}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = Maitri Setu |native_name= মৈত্রী সেতু<br /> मैत्री सेतु | named_for = Indo-Bangladesh friendship <ref>[https://www.india.com/news/india/maitri-setu-1-9km-long-bridge-over-feni-river-in-tripura-to-link-india-bangladesh-details-here-4476090/ Maitri Setu: 1.9km Long Bridge Over Feni River in Tripura To Link India-Bangladesh. Details Here<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |other_name = Gateway of Northeast |native_name_lang= Bengali |image=|image_size = |alt = |caption = |coordinates = {{coord|22.997|91.72365|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |carries = 2-lanes |crosses = Feni River |locale = '''North end:''' Sabroom in Tripura, India <br /> '''South end:''' Ramgarh in Chittagong, Bangladesh. |official_name = |owner = |maint = National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) |heritage = |id = |website = |preceded = |followed = |design = |material = Steel and concrete |length = {{convert|1.9|km|mi}} |width = |height = |spans = Single span |pierswater = No |load = |clearance = |below = |life = |architect = |designer = |engineering = |builder = Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon (DRA Infracon) |fabricator = |begin = June 2015 |complete = |cost = {{INRconvert|133|c}} |open = |inaugurated = 9 March 2021 |collapsed = |closed = |replaces = |traffic = |toll = |map_caption=|map_image=|map_width=|map_alt=|map_cue=|map_text= }}

'''Maitri Setu''' ({{lit|friendship bridge}}) is a {{convert|1.9|km|mi|adj=on}} bridge on Feni River which links Sabroom in Tripura, India and Ramgarh in Chittagong, Bangladesh leading to Chittagong port, thus providing a shorter and more economical alternate land route between India's eastern and western states compared to the longer route through Assam. On 9 March 2021, it was officially opened to public by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

==History==

In June 2015, the foundation stone for the bridge was officially laid by Modi and Hasina. The cost of constructing the bridge, as well as the approach roads to it in both Bangladesh and India, was borne by India. The bridge connects Sabroom in Tripura, India and Ramgarh in Chittagong, Bangladesh leading to Chittagong port providing landlocked North East India with access to the sea, and enabling the transport of heavy machines and goods to North East India via Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web|title=India starts work on bridge over Feni river linking North-East to Chittagong|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/india-starts-work-on-bridge-over-feni-river-linking-north-east-to-chittagong/281559/|website=The Financial Express|access-date=1 June 2017|date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=nar1>{{cite news |date=2010-12-22 |title=India–Bangladesh to Start Work on Bridge This Month |url=http://www.sify.com/finance/india-bangladesh-to-start-work-on-bridge-this-month-news-default-kmwlOogfjjh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226174839/http://www.sify.com/finance/india-bangladesh-to-start-work-on-bridge-this-month-news-default-kmwlOogfjjh.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-12-26 |work=Sify Finance |agency=IANS |access-date=2014-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='New trade corridor': PM Modi inaugurates 'Maitri Setu' between India and Bangladesh |website=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-trade-corridor-pm-modi-inaugurates-maitri-setu-between-india-and-bangladesh-101615271901019.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-07 |title=India to Develop Bangladesh Port |work=Tripurainfo |agency=IANS |url=http://www.tripurainfo.com/info/ArchiveDet.aspx?WhatId=13826 |url-status=dead |access-date=2014-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021110051/http://www.tripurainfo.com/info/ArchiveDet.aspx?WhatId=13826 |archive-date=2014-10-21}}</ref> It also links National Highway 8 in India to Baraiyaghat-Magarcheri Road in Bangladesh across Feni river.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Maitri Setu: The Gateway of Northeast |url=https://www.constructionworld.in/gold/transport-infrastructure/highways-and-roads-infrastructure/maitri-setu--the-gateway-of-northeast/26685 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.constructionworld.in |language=en}}</ref> The bridge is constructed and being maintained by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).<ref name="nar2">{{cite news |date=2021-03-10 |title=Maitri Setu & why the India-Bangladesh bridge is being touted as 'Gateway to Northeast' |publisher=The Print |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/maitri-setu-why-the-india-bangladesh-bridge-is-being-touted-as-gateway-to-northeast/619065/ |access-date=2014-09-14}}</ref> The bridge was constructed by Ahmedabad based Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Private Limited (DRA Infracon) at cost of ₹ 82.57 crore.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-30 |title=Cracks spotted in Maitri Setu, construction flaws raise concern |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/world/south-asia/cracks-spotted-maitri-setu-construction-flaws-raise-concern-486378 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

The bridge was inaugurated on 9 March 2021 by Prime Ministers Modi and Hasina via video conference. The bridge was named "Maitri Setu" symbolizing the growing friendship and bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh.<ref name="thenitrrshworld.com">{{cite web|title=Maitri Setu Bridge India Bangladesh Inaugurated BY PM Modi|url=https://thenitrrshworld.com/maitri-setu-bridge-india-bangladesh-inaugurated-by-pm-modi/|website=The Nitrrsh World|access-date=9 March 2021|date=9 March 2021}}</ref> The construction was taken up by the Government of India at a project cost of ₹133 crore.<ref name="thenitrrshworld.com"/>

== Technical features == The bridge is {{convert|1.9|km|mi|adj=on}} long including its approaches and roads.<ref name="nar2" /> The bridge is {{convert|150|m|ft|adj=on}} long otherwise.<ref name=":0" /> It is a single span pre-stressed concrete bridge.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=India-Bangladesh friendship bridge, the Maitri Setu, is all set to be functional soon. |url=https://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/what-is-maitri-setu/64e5cfdd8fee2e05a764771f/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=vajiramias.com}}</ref>

==Significance ==

The bridge plays a very important economic role as a major trade route to Northeast India, with access to Chittagong Port, which is just {{convert|80|km|mi}} from the border.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/pm-narendra-modi-to-inaugurate-maitri-setu-between-india-bangladesh-today-tripura-to-become-gateway-of-north-east/729891 |title=PM Modi inaugurates India-Bangladesh 'Maitri Setu' bridge, multiple infrastructure projects in Tripura |website=Times Now News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/all-about-maitri-setu-bridge-between-india-and-bangladesh-inaugurated-by-pm-modi-1615373192-1 |title=All about Maitri Setu Bridge between India and Bangladesh inaugurated by PM Modi |work=Dainik Jagran|date=10 March 2021 }}</ref> Land route between Agartala and Kolkata Port through this bridge is just 450&nbsp;km via Bangladesh compared to the 1600&nbsp;km land route via Siliguri Corridor. Logistics cost from Agartala to Kolkata Port will be 80% lower, as compared to the Siliguri Corridor, if the goods are sent through this bridge via Chattogram Port 200&nbsp;km away.<ref name=nar2/>

== Future connectivity== {{anchor | Future | Connectivity }}

A rail link extension to Chittagong Port and Cox's Bazar deep water port in Bangladesh by rehabilitating the railway link from Santir Bazar railway station in India to Feni Junction railway station in Bangladesh is planned which will also provide the strategic redundancy and alternative to Kaladan Multi-Modal project route if there is a war with China.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com/world/as-smart-as-sittwe-going-north-east-by-south-east-6480951.html As Smart as Sittwe: Going North-East by South-East], ''First Post'', 2019.</ref>

==See also==

* Look East policy (India) * Bangladesh–India relations * Bangladesh–India border

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Bangladesh–India relations Category:Roads in Tripura Category:Roads in Bangladesh Category:Bridges in India Category:Bridges in Chittagong Division Category:Border crossings of India Category:Border crossings of Bangladesh Category:Bangladesh–India border crossings