Agartala, September 2(TIWN): A high level delegation of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) led by General Manager (Constructions) RK Singh and General Manager (Operations) RS Virdhi today visited the state and met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to discuss on the forthcoming mega block.

Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat after the conclusion of a marathon meeting with Chief Minister Sarkar, General Manager RS Virdhi said that the mega block would be started in Lumding-Silchar segment from October 01. Gauge conversion work would be completed as soon as possible, the official said.

A highly placed source in thr state Transport Department later said that the NFR confessed in the meeting with CM that they didn’t have sufficient machineries, manpower, other labourer, engineers and other equipments to continue with gauge conversion in the entire Lumding-Agartala route at one go.

“Even if they could start the work, it wouldn’t be completed in the next 4-5 years”, the source said.

The NFR authorities are currently planning to start Broad Gauge (BG) conversion work in Lumding-SIlchar segment from October 01 and end the work by March 31, 2015.

The Chief Minister reportedly requested the NFR officials to pitch in suggestions for alternate for procuring supplies.

The NFR officials said that they could consider proposals for running passenger trains between Karimganj and Agartala for the time being. They requested Chief Minister Sarkar to initiate talks with the Ministry of Railways for concurrent gauge conversion in the Lundimg-Agartala route.

A proposal is expected to be pitched in from the office of Chief Secretary G Kameshwara Rao in consultation with the NFR general manager for approaching the railway ministry.

A separate source in the government said that the Chief Minister is expected to raise the issue with the Ministry of Railways within September 12.