Agartala, Sep 13, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Key Highlights: NFR takes steps to make Agartala railway station of intl standard, Survey for double lane from Belonia to Sabroom via Agartala completed, Proposal sent for Agartala to Guwahati inter-city train service, Agartala-Deoghar train service to be extended up to Sabroom

Agartala, Sept 13: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday held an important meeting with Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials including general manager Ansul Gupta and called for speedy completion of various on-going projects in the state.

The project for construction of double-lane track in Lumding-Agartala segment, progress various other works including Agartala- Akhaura rail link project were discussed in the meeting held at the conference hall of Agartala Railway Station.

The Chief Minister emphasized on speedy completion of Agartala- Akhaura rail project that would connect Tripura with Bangladesh and open new opportunities for trade, tourism and other sectors.

Taking part in the meeting, the NFR GM informed the Chief Minister that various initiatives were already taken to speed up the on-going works.

According to Gupta, the survey for construction of double-lane tracks in Lumding-Agartala section already completed and it was sent to the Railway Board for approval.

He also informed the Chief Minister that the works for Agartala- Akhaura rail project was going on in full swing.

The general manager also said, steps were already taken to develop Agartala Railway Station at international standard with new facilities. He said, such railway stations include health facility, shopping mall, food court, cultural ambience and other modern facilities.

He also assured the Chief Minister that rail link would be extended up to Sabroom integrated check post.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister requested the NFR official to increase number foot over bridge in the state’s railway stations.

Gupta informed the Chief Minister that the state government had proposed escalator facilities in Agartala and Dharmanagar railway stations. Among them, the proposal for two escalators in Agartala railway station was already approved. 

He also said, a proposal was sent to the Railway Board for introducing Agartala- Guwahati inter-city train service and Agartala- Deoghar train service would be extended up to Sabroom.

Besides, another proposal was sent to the Railway Board for introducing Agartala- Mumbai, Agartala- Jammu and Agartala- Puri train services, he said, adding that initiatives were taken for transporting petroleum products through train from Dharmanagar. 

The Chief Minister then requested the NFR officials to introduce weekly Kisan Rail in Tripura so that the Agri and bamboo products of the state can be transported to other states. 

Meanwhile, under ‘one station, one product’ scheme, the Railway took initiatives for displaying local products in respective railway stations.

The Chief Minister also drew attention of the NFR officials for ensuring adequate ticket counters and staff in the state’s railway stations. 

With an eye on tourism sector, the Tripura government proposed Vistadome train service in the state and the proposal is now pending with the Ministry of Railways for approval.

The NFR representative informed the Chief Minister that electrification of railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom would complete by September next year. Survey for Belonia- Feni rail connectivity in Indian part also completed and the report was already sent to the Railway Board for approval. 

Special Secretary of Transport department Dr. Sandeep Rathod and Additional Secretary Subrata Chowdhury were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the NFR delegation led by Gupta met Tripura Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha at the civil secretariat and held threadbare discussions on rail service in the state.