STATE : Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury penned a letter to the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, on June 20 addressing pertinent issues related to the transportation sector, highlighting initiatives or concerns relevant to the ongoing governance and development of railway infrastructure in Tripura.
In the letter Transport Minister wrote, “I extend my warmest congratulations to you on reassuming Office as Union Minister of Railways Government of India. Your continued leadership and dedication to the development of our nation’s railway infrastructure are commendable and deeply appreciated. The recent extension of the Kanchangungha Express from Agartala to Sabroom is a worth mentionable significant development for Tripura’s railway connectivity.”
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury applauded the Railway Minister’s stewardship and significant strides in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reach of the network in the country.
The Transport Minister highlighted several pending issues that require urgent attention. These include the introduction of regular passenger and goods train services from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka, Bangladesh, and from Agartala to Chittagong, Bangladesh, utilizing the newly inaugurated Agartala-Akhaura rail link. Another critical issue is the electrification of railway tracks spanning from Badarpur to Sabroom, along with the conversion of existing single-line tracks into double-line tracks to enhance operational efficiency and capacity. Additionally, there is a need for an increase in the number of coaches for Local DEMUs and the introduction of an additional daily passenger train on the Agartala-Dharmanagar route. The state also seeks to establish Agartala-Guwahati Inter-City train services and introduce new express services like Agartala-Jammu, Agartala-Puri, and Agartala-Gaya routes. Furthermore, there is a demand for alternative rail connectivity from Pecharthal to Kailashahar-Dharmanagar (41.75 KM) and from Dharmanagar to Belonia via Kailasahar, Kamalpur, Khowai, and Agartala (178.72 KM), as well as the establishment of the Belonia-Feni rail link. Addressing these issues systematically is essential for improving railway connectivity and enhancing transportation infrastructure across Tripura.