As Tripura expands railway connectivity with the rest of the country and with neighbouring Bangladesh, a new railway link (Belonia to Feni)  to be set up with Bangladesh after the Agartala-Akhaura rail link.

Addressing a press conference here at Civil Secretariat on Friday afternoon, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury after returning from New Delhi said that during his meeting with Union Minister of Railways, Communication, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday , government of Tripura has demanded for two alternative railway connectivity inside Tripura and railway link with neighbouring Bangladesh by connecting Belonia to Feni with construction of 2.92 kms in Indian side and 27 kms in Bangladesh side.

But, the government and Union Railway Ministry and DoNER ministry has given its maximum emphasis over completion of Agartala-Akhaura rail link and by September end, the rail link will start operational, which will boost up the international trade and commerce between two nations.

While, giving details of his meeting with the Union Railway Minister, Chowdhury said that state government emphasized for three alternative railway connectivities for expansion of rail infrastructure in the state, which are awaiting approval by the Railway Board and these includes alternative connectivity from Pecharthal-Kailasahar-Dharmanagar (41.75 km), Dharmanagar to Belonia via Kailashahar, Kamalpur, Khowai and Agartala (178.72 km) and the international connectivity  through Belonia –Feni rail link.

He said that infrastructure in rail connectivity has started to improve a lot since 2018, which has never been achieved. Tripura has been connected with the various states and cities of the country through railways and a  total of 16 trains are running presently, out of which 11 trains are directly connected with outside states, whereas , only 7 trains were in operation before 2018.

Chowdhury said that state government has also sent proposal to the Railway for operation of Agartala-Guwahati intercity train, Agartala-Puri, Agartala-Jammu and Agartala-Mumbai train services, but the union minister said that at the present stage Agartala-Mumbai train service will not possible at the present stage due to heavy traffic congestions.

The railway has taken initiative to upgrade the existing Agartala railway station at Bandhaghat into a modern international standard station with sophisticated facilities.

“The work of Agartala-Akhaura rail link project is going on in full swing and at present about 85 % of construction works has been completed on the Indian side and 73 % in Bangladesh,”, said Chowdhury and hoped that by September end it will start operational.

The railway minister has also urged the DoNER minister to release a fund of Rs. 150 core for speedy completion of the project, said Chowdhury and added that initiatives has been taken for the works like infrastructure development of various rail stations, introducing escalator, construction of foot over bridge, double laning of railway line from Lumding to Belonia via Agartala along with electrification and improvement of passenger services quality.

Emphasis has also been given on transportation of petroleum-products and other essential commodities through train and soon the construction work of Nischintapur rail yard will be completed, which will widen the scope  of international trade and commerce between two nations.

He said that the state government has also demanded for construction of railway goods yards at Agartala, Bishalgarh and Sekharkot.

Meanwhile, over operational international air connectivity from Agartala airport to Chittagong, the minister said that very soon MBB Airport is going to be an international and Spicejet will start its operation after immigration clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has already declared as Customs check post by the Ministry of Finance.

He also said that for 24-hours operational of Agartala airport, 120 more CISF jawans should be posted and the matter is now being looked at by the MHA.