Editor
NFR Takes the Lead: Broad Gauge Line Upgraded to Double from Haflong to Sabroom
The NFR has already begun the process of converting the single BG line to a double one from Haflong's Chandranath to Sabroom via Agartala. The railway network in the Agartala-Gangasagar (Bangladesh) stretch is also being completed on a priority basis, with a projected completion by October. Jha confirmed that the ongoing electrification of the railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom is expected to be finished by March the following year.
Additionally, the Railways' board is considering three new railway links: Pecharthal-Kailashahar-Dharmanagar (41.75 km), Dharmanagar-Belonia (187.72 km), and Belonia-Feni (Bangladesh) spanning 2.92 km. Furthermore, the NFR has allocated funds amounting to Rs 235.45 crore for the upgrade of Agartala station and has completed 90% of the construction of a railyard at Sabroom in South Tripura district.
The NFR delegation also presented their plans for the development of three railway stations, namely Dharmangar, Kumarghat, and Udaipur-Matabari, under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme. A sum of Rs 90.70 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization of these stations.
On the other hand, the railway board is actively considering introducing express trains from Agartala to Mumbai, Jammu, and Puri, along with an intercity service to Guwahati. The chief minister expressed concerns about drug and contraband smuggling via trains and requested adequate security personnel to address the issue.
During the meeting, Chief Minister's secretary Pradip Kumar Chakravorty and state transport department's additional secretary Subrata Chowdhury were also present. Following this, the NFR delegation met with chief secretary J K Sinha to provide a briefing on their ongoing work and future plans.