The rail connectivity in Tripura will receive an additional enhancement with the commencement of train services between Agartala and Kolkata through Bangladesh, Chief Minister Manik Saha said. He stated that the test run for the proposed Agartala to Gangasagar (Bangladesh) rail link, connecting Agartala to Kolkata through Bangladesh, has been conducted successfully.
What more did Saha say?
In Agartala, the Chief Minister, after flagging off the Agartala–Deoghar Express train with LHB coaches, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered on his promise of providing HIRA (highways, I-way, railway, airway) to the northeastern state.
Saha mentioned that the Central government has allocated Rs 260 crore for the transformation of Agartala station into a world-class facility. Additionally, Rs 93 crore has been provided for the conversion of three railway stations—Dharmanagar, Udaipur, and Kumarghat—into Amrit Bharat stations.
He expressed that it is currently quite remarkable that approximately 18 express and local trains are serving the people of the state, a reality that was once considered unbelievable. He conveyed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Minister for the transformation of the Agartala-Deoghar express train with LHB coaches.
Nine new stations selected for redevelopment
Earlier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the Railway Ministry has identified 1,318 railway stations for the development/redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
This indicated that redevelopment plans have been extended to include nine additional stations. Earlier, a total of 1,309 stations were identified for renovation.
He said that the plan involves developing and implementing master plans in consecutive phases to upgrade facilities at the stations. This includes enhancements in station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, installation of essential lift/escalators, cleanliness, provision of free Wi-Fi, establishment of kiosks for local products under initiatives like ‘One Station One Product,’ improvement of passenger information systems, establishment of executive lounges, designated areas for business meetings, landscaping, and other amenities, customized to meet the specific needs of each station.
(With PTI inputs)