Agartala, Nov 10 (TIWN): Frustration and agony is prevailed among the rail passengers, travelling from different parts of Tripura as rail service, the prime conveyance of Tripura people to maintain their day to day service and economic activities has fallen down due to mega block. Merely one train Agartala-Karimganj consisting 5 compartments was in service from October 1.

Earlier, to offer a comfortable journey to the rail passengers, the concerned department has added 5 more compartments in the merely Agartala-Karimganj train on October 15, this year. Since then, the North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) has been continuing rail services by a single train from Agartala to Karimganj till date. Though, the number of compartment is being increased to 10, but in course of travel, passengers are facing a challenging rail service in Tripura at such situation.

It is to be mentioned here; the North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) has started converting the meter-gauge line into broad-gauge from Lumding to Silchar in the first phase from October 01. It will take more than one year to complete the conversion tasks. The next phase of conversion from Badarpur to Agartala will take place after the completion first phase’s conversion.  

According the highly placed sources, the ministry has been planning to extend railway services by adding more 2-3 passenger trains from Agartala halt during the Mega block.

On the other hand, the conversion for Meter-gauge line into broad-gauge (Mega block) has been continuing in full swing by the North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) at Lumding and Barrack Valley. According to the Railway sources, NFR has deployed more than 3000 workers to complete the conversion work at earliest.

The source further informed if the conversion works continue in the same way, if the weather does not create any barrier then the people of Tripura and Barrack Valley would be able to go outside by broad-gauge train from Badarpur station by March, 2015. Thereafter the work for convert the meter gauge line into broad gauge will be started in the second phase.

Mentionable, the progress of conversion works were affected by the Hudhud for few days. The construction for most of the big tunnels has already been completed while few of the tunnels are likely to be constructed soon, added the source.