Historic Achievement: First Freight Train Arrives at Tripura Terminal
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Synopsis
On March 24, the Northeast Frontier Railway placed the first goods train at Nischintapur terminal near Agartala, marking a historic milestone in freight operations for the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, which aims to improve logistics between Northeast India and Bangladesh.
Key Takeaways
- First freight train
- Agartala-Akhaura project aims to reduce distance to Kolkata.
- Improvement in freight movement and economic growth.
- New rail link enhances logistical efficiency.
- Project cost escalated to Rs 1255.10 crore.
Guwahati/Agartala, March 24 (NationPress) In a remarkable achievement, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Monday successfully positioned the first-ever freight train at the Nischintapur terminal located near Agartala.
An official confirmed that the Nischintapur goods yard was developed as a component of the ambitious 12.24 km Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway initiative.
The Agartala-Akhaura railway project was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 1, 2023.
This new rail route will significantly shorten the distance between the northeastern states and Kolkata to 500 km via Bangladesh, a considerable reduction from the current 1,600 km through Guwahati.
Political instability in Bangladesh had previously hindered the operationalization of the Agartala-Akhaura railway project.
NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that on March 24, a shipment of 11 BCN wagons filled with cement from STAR siding at Tetelia near Guwahati was successfully delivered to the Nischintapur terminal, marking a historic moment for freight operations linked to the Agartala-Akhaura new rail link project.
This achievement comes after the NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava authorized the opening of the Agartala-Nischintapur section for goods traffic following recent successful joint inspections by senior railway officials.
CPRO Sharma added that the commencement of operations at the Nischintapur terminal for goods traffic will significantly alleviate congestion at overloaded goods sheds such as Jirania in West Tripura and other key locations within the Lumding Division.
This initiative provides an alternative route, thereby enhancing logistical efficiency and simplifying goods transportation in the region. Furthermore, it will facilitate improved freight movement, reduce transit times, and bolster regional economic development through upgraded railway infrastructure, according to the CPRO.
The NFR is committed to enhancing freight connectivity and fostering economic progress in the Northeast. By modernizing infrastructure and optimizing operations, it aims to ensure faster and more efficient goods transportation. These efforts are set to strengthen trade networks and support the overall development of the region, the NFR chief spokesperson mentioned.
The 12.24 km Agartala-Akhaura railway line (5.46 km in India and 6.78 km in Bangladesh) connects with Akhaura through an international immigration station at Nischintapur in western Tripura.
Railway officials indicated that the cost of the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, which received approval from the governments of India and Bangladesh in July 2016, escalated to Rs 1255.10 crore.
Funded by India’s Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the NFR serves as the nodal agency for the Agartala-Akhaura railway project, which was principally agreed upon in January 2010 during a meeting between former Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
