Tripura CM Manik Saha Engages with Railway Minister on Vande Bharat Train Launch
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Synopsis
On February 19, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi, discussing the introduction of the Vande Bharat train and several other railway projects aimed at enhancing the state's connectivity and infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Vande Bharat train introduction discussed.
- Focus on railway infrastructure and electrification.
- Successful trial run of electric goods train reported.
- Electric trains expected to enhance connectivity.
- Government prioritizes development in Northeast India.
New Delhi/Agartala, Feb 19 (NationPress) Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha met with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi to deliberate on several railway initiatives, notably the launch of the Vande Bharat train in the state, as confirmed by officials in Agartala.
After the meeting, the Chief Minister shared on social media: “I had a discussion with Hon’ble Union Minister of Rail Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. We covered various development topics, including the operation of the Vande Bharat Train, Inter-City Train between Agartala and Guwahati, Local Train between Dharmanagar and Sabroom, new track laying between Jirania and Bodhjungnagar (Industrial Estate) and Dharmanagar and Kailashahar, and Kissan Rail between Agartala and Guwahati, as well as railway infrastructure development in the state and IT-related matters.”
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is actively working towards initiating electric train services in southern Assam and Tripura without delay.
An NFR representative stated that a successful trial run of the first goods train using an electric locomotive took place on February 6, connecting Badarpur station in southern Assam to Jirania station, located 15 km north of Agartala railway station.
“Essential infrastructure tasks, including electrification, have been recently completed in southern Assam and Tripura. Following the successful operation of additional goods trains with electric locomotives, we will commence passenger train services on this route as soon as possible,” the official informed IANS.
Currently, Tripura is well linked to cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Firozpur, Patna, and others through various express trains, yet passenger train operations have predominantly relied on diesel engines.
A Rs 46 crore electrification initiative was initiated in 2022 to integrate Tripura with the national railway grid utilizing electric trains.
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) will provide electricity for the railway’s electric transmission lines. With the infrastructure for electric railway lines nearing completion, the prestigious Vande Bharat Express services will extend to Silchar in Assam and Agartala in the upcoming months, as stated by the NFR official.
Earlier, Rajya Sabha member from Tripura, Rajib Bhattacharjee, mentioned that the infrastructure is almost complete for operating Vande Bharat Express trains to Silchar and Agartala, with only minor tasks left to be finished promptly.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi consistently emphasizes the development of northeastern states. The Vande Bharat Express represents one of his visionary projects,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister inaugurated Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express on May 29, 2023, linking Guwahati with New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal).
The journey duration for the Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express is 5 hours and 30 minutes, compared to the previous quickest train on that route, which took around 6 hours and 30 minutes.
This train operates six days a week. The NFR manages services in the northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of north Bihar.
