Broad gauge rail link to Tripura

Tripura entered the broad gauge railway map of the country on Sunday with railway minister Suresh Prabhu flagging off the Agartala-New Delhi “Tripura Sundari Express”.

The foundation stone for the much awaited railway track to link Agartala to Akhoura in Bangladesh was jointly laid at the programme by Mr Prabhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Md Mujibul Haque.

“Tripura Sundari Express” will run once a week on Sundays and will reach New Delhi in 47 hours after travelling via Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri.

Rs 968 crore was spent for Agartala- Delhi rail link. Addressing the gathering, Mr Prabhu said a regular train service between Agartala and Kolkata would be started next month.

“Kolkata is the cultural capital of the country and Tripura has a long historic connection with it,” he said.

On the Agartala-Akhoura railway link, Mr Prabhu said it would be part of trans-Asian rail connectivity.

“We are committed to bring connectivity with Bangladesh. The relation between India and Bangladesh is very cordial and they (Bangladesh) are cooperative in our initiative,” he said.

The rail track here would be extended to Sabroom, the southern-most town in Tripura.