Agartala, October 11, 2022 : The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has initiated several measures including improving track and infrastructure, providing additional trains, and improving goods movement aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving services in Tripura.

Addressing a press conference at Agartala Railway Station here on Tuesday afternoon, Divisional Railway Manager JS Lakra said that the frontier took the decision of extending the services of train number 02518/02517 to Agartala which was so far running between Kolkata and Guwahati. Now the passengers could board this train at Guwahati in the evening and will reach Agartala the next morning.

Further, the recently introduced Jan Shatabdi Express train’s service between Agartala to Jiribam in Manipur will be extended up to Khongsang in Manipur which will run over an additional 55 km. This train will also have a new LHB rake with the latest amenities and a Vistadome coach to promote tourism in this section, he added.

The DRM of NF Railways also said that a survey for a second line between Lumding-Badarpur via Lanka-Chandranathpur has been sanctioned by the Railway Board and will be completed by March 2023.

“The work of electrification of the Lumding-Agartala line is expected to be completed by December, 2023. Survey for new line between Dharmanagar-Pecharthal up to Belonia via Kamalpur-Khowai Agartala measuring 178.72 km has been completed. The Railways has also started a survey for upgrading the Agartala rail station with modern state of the art facilities. Two escalators are being constructed here and these are expected to be completed next month. Two more escalators are coming up at Dharmanagar rail station”, he added.

Expanding commercial opportunities, the NF Railway has opened two modular stalls at Agartala railway station and very soon such modular stalls will be opened at Udaipur station in Gomati district, Belonia and Sabroom stations in South Tripura district, Ambassa station in Dhalai district, Kumarghat station in Unakoti district and Dharmanagar station in North Tripura district. This is being done under the “One Station One Product” scheme to showcase the indigenous products of Tripura. Local artisans have been requested to make maximum use of this opportunity.

He also said “The NF Railway has introduced e-auction schemes to delegate parking, pay and use toilet, advertisement space at the rail stations in Tripura for commercial use. In an effort to improve freight transport and logistics, works for additional goods terminals at Sekerkote and Agartala have been shortlisted and one additional goods line at Agartala is being processed. The NF Railways has also been coordinating with local traders for boosting trade by providing parcel train facilities for the transport of rubber, timber, pineapple, jackfruit and other indigenous products of the region.”

Citing the development of international connectivity, Lakra said “The railway connecting Agartala to Akhaura in Bangladesh is expected to be completed in the next four-five months.”