The bridge provides the only land link between India's eastern states and its western states other than through Assam. The foundation stone for the bridge was officially laid by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in June 2015. The cost of constructing the bridge, as well as the approach roads to it in both Bangladesh and India, will be borne by India. The Tripura Public Works Department was appointed to execute the project. When completed, the bridge will connect Tripura with the Chittagong port in Bangladesh 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. The bridge was inaugurated on 9 March 2021 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina via video conference. The bridge was named "Maitri Setu" symbolizing the growing friendship and bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. Feni dam The Feni is closed near the sea by the Feni dam. This dam has been constructed in 1985 to prevent floodings by surges the lower reaches of the Feni due to cyclones and make a large area fitted for agriculture. The dam is mainly constructed by manual Labour. Between the dam and the Bay of Bengal the river is a tidal river. References Rivers of Bangladesh International rivers of Asia Rivers of Tripura Bangladesh–India border Rivers of India Rivers of Chittagong Division Border rivers