India, Bangladesh strengthen ties with joint inauguration of 3 projects

02 Nov 2023 CW Team

In a joint virtual ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina unveiled three significant development projects. These projects, which include the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and Unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bangladesh, mark a crucial step in enhancing the partnership between the two nations.

The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, spanning 12.24 km with a dual gauge rail line of 6.78 km in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura, was completed with a Government of India grant assistance of Rs 3.92 billion. Meanwhile, the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project, with a total project cost of $388.92 million under India's concessional Line of Credit, established a 65 km broad gauge rail route connecting Mongla Port to the existing rail network in Khulna. Furthermore, the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, financed through an Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of 1.6 billion US dollars, is a 1320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant located in Rampal, Khulna Division of Bangladesh. This project, a joint venture between India's NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board, signifies a monumental leap towards bolstering connectivity and energy security in the region.

During the inauguration, both leaders expressed gratitude for the enduring friendship and cooperation between their countries. Sheikh Hasina acknowledged PM Modi's warm hospitality during her visit to attend the G20 Summit in September 2023, emphasising the strength of their nations' bond. Additionally, she conveyed her heartfelt Diwali greetings to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India, further underlining the warmth and goodwill between the two neighbouring nations.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..