Indian Railways considering double-line rail project between Agartala and Badarpur: NFR GM

Tripura is set to get a major boost in rail connectivity, with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) announcing that an electric MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train service between Agartala and Karimganj will be introduced shortly.

Speaking at a press conference at Agartala Railway Station on Friday, NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the modern electric train service would offer greater passenger comfort and higher carrying capacity.

He noted that the Agartala–Karimganj route would become the first route under NFR to operate MEMU services.

Looking ahead, he revealed that Indian Railways is also considering a future double-line rail project between Badarpur Railway Station and Agartala to further strengthen connectivity in the Northeast.

The NFR General Manager, accompanied by senior railway officials, undertook a detailed two-day inspection of important railway infrastructure and operational facilities at Agartala and Sekerkote Railway Stations in Tripura under the Lumding Division starting from Thursday.

The announcement comes as railway infrastructure across Tripura undergoes a major transformation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Shrivastava said work on the new Agartala station building is progressing steadily. The three-storey station complex, being developed at an estimated first-phase cost of Rs 48 crore, is expected to be completed by March 2027.

According to railway officials, the redeveloped station will feature modern passenger amenities, improved waiting facilities, and upgraded infrastructure designed to meet growing passenger demand. Plans are also underway to increase the number of platforms at the station.

The General Manager said modernization projects at Udaipur Railway Station and Kumarghat Railway Station are advancing rapidly and are likely to be completed by September this year.

During his visit, Shrivastava inspected ongoing redevelopment work at Agartala station and inaugurated new lifts on Platforms 1 and 2 to facilitate easier movement of elderly and physically challenged passengers. 

He also reviewed passenger facilities, including waiting halls, ticket counters, automatic ticket vending machines, scanning systems, and retiring rooms.

Highlighting progress in freight infrastructure, he said goods trains are already operating regularly through Nischintapur Railway Station. Construction-related works involving Indian Railways, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and the state Public Works Department at Sekerkote Railway Station are nearing completion and are expected to be finished by August.

The NFR chief also stated that electrification of the railway corridor from Sabroom to Guwahati has been completed, although a minor technical issue affecting power supply near New Haflong Railway Station is currently being addressed.

Shrivastava was accompanied by Sameer Lohani during the visit. A day earlier, the General Manager had inspected the ongoing IOCL oil depot project at Sekerkote and reviewed operations at the Nischintapur rail yard.

According to NFR, Tripura has witnessed remarkable growth in rail connectivity since the introduction of broad-gauge services to Agartala in 2016. Key initiatives such as the Agartala–Akhaura International Rail Link, Narangi–Agartala Express and upcoming Electric MEMU and Vande Bharat services are further strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and supporting the socio-economic development of the state.