Agartala to have broad gauge service this June

Agartala will have a broad gauge train service by end of this month, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) HK Jaggi told reporters in Agartala on June 1.

The General Manager, who arrived in Agartala to review the preparation for flagging off BG train service from Agartala met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Transport Minister Manik Dey and briefed them about the NFR's plan.

Speaking to the media at the Civil Secretariat, Jaggi said the NFR plans to flag off the much-delayed train service from Agartala by the third week of June.

"Everything depends on the condition of Badarpur-Lumding section of track in Assam where heavy shower over the past few days hampering the restoration work," he said.

Jaggi said the train service from Silchar to Lumding has been suspended due to damage caused by heavy showers, although restoration works are in progress.

"Once the rain stops there, restoration work will gain momentum and will start train service in the section. It will also pave the way for inauguration of BG train service from Agartala," he said.

Jaggi said there is a shortage of railway coaches and it is the Railway Ministry which will decide how many trains will be offered to the state of Tripura.

On the Agartala-Udaipur BG track, the General Manager said the track has been ready and Commissioner of Rail Safety inspection would be carried out in June itself.

On being asked about the Indo-Bangladesh railway project, Jaggi said the Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern Region has already released Rs 150 crore but the NFR has not received the amount yet.

"Once the money is received, the NFR will hand over the amount to the state government to undertake land acquisition process," he added.