The construction of a railway track from Tripura to Bangladesh is underway to run the first train from the state to the neighbouring country, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday.

The cross-border train service, which is expected to start next year, was discussed by Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb

The Union minister for development of the north eastern region (DoNER) discussed with Deb the progress of the railway track’s construction, according to an official statement.

The first-ever train from Tripura to Bangladesh’s Akhaura will leave from the state’s capital Agartala, it said.

The 15 km-long railway line project is being jointly implemented by the Indian Railways and the Bangladesh Railways, and is expected to be completed by 2020.

The project will improve connectivity and boost trade between the two countries. It will also connect West Bengal and Tripura through Bangladesh.

The cost of the project is ₹972.52 crore, which is being funded by the DoNER ministry on the Indian side and by the Ministry of External Affairs on the Bangladesh side.