Agartala, Aug 01, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Aug 01: A delegation of Northeast Frontier Railway led by General Manager (Operation) Sunil Kumar Jha paid a courtesy call to Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday and discussed various issues related to the state’s railway network.
 
The NFR officials informed the Chief Minister that a process had already commenced for converting the single rail track into double lines. They also said, necessary initiatives were taken to complete the preliminary survey for this work from Chandranath area of Halflong to Sabroom (243 km) by June, next year.
 
According to the NFR delegation, the Agartala- Akhaura rail link project is likely to get its final shape by October this year.
 
The NFR general manager assured the Chief Minister that the state government’s proposal for running additional passenger trains on Agartala- Dharmanagar route and increasing the number of coaches in local DEMU trains would be considered. He also said, another proposal for introducing new express train services in Agartala- Mumbai, Agartala- Jammu routes and Agartala- Puri and Agartala- Guwahati inter-city express is also under consideration of the railways authority.
 
During interactions with the Chief Minister, the NFR officials said, electrification of rail tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom would be completed by March, next year. Besides, three alternative rail tracks Pecharthal- Kailashahar- Dharmanagar (41.75 km), Dharmanagar- Belonia (178.72 km) and Belonia to Feni (2.92 km) are awaiting approval from the Railway Board.
 
They also mentioned that a DPR of Rs. 235.45 crore for development of Agartala Railway Station as a world-class station was already sent to the Railway Board. Works for 12 among 23 sanctioned rail over bridges already commenced, the fund allocation for the remaining 11 ROBs would be given soon. The Sabroom Rail Yard project is nearing completion with only 10 percent works remaining. It would be completed by October this year.
 
Three railway stations of Tripura- Dharmanagar, Kumarghat and Matabari (Udaipur) have been brought under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ project. The three stations would be developed at an expenditure of Rs. 90.70 crore, the NFR delegates told the Chief Minister.
 
The Chief Minister drew the attention of the NFR officials regarding irregular ticket services in Jawharnagar, Nalkata, Sekerkote and S.K. Para railway stations and lack of cleanliness and hygiene in DEMU trains. He also expressed serious concern over transportation of contraband items through trains and emphasized on adequate security arrangements to prevent this.
 
The NFR delegation also met Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha. Secretary P.K. Chakraborty and Additional Secretary of Transport department Subrata Chowdhury were also present.