AGARTALA, Dec 17 (TIWN): The North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) is likely to run another passenger train in Agartala-Karimganj and Karimganj-Agartala both routes shortly by offering a comfortable and calm journey to the commuters, said a source today. If another train starts running then the state people are likely to get slight relief from ongoing air ticket crisis.

The North-East Frontier Railway has been continuing rail services by a single train from Agartala-Karimganj route till date since October 15. Though, the number of compartment was increased from 5 to 10, but in course of travel, passengers are facing a challenging rail service in Tripura. At such situation the ministry is likely to extend railway services by adding one more passenger train in Agartala-Karimganj route during the Mega block works.

On the other hand, as part of mega block, constructions for many of the tunnels have already been completed while few of the tunnels are under construction, the source added.

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 1. 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 of first phase’s BG conversion.  

Being asked, “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. The NFR has deployed more than 4000 workers to complete the conversion work at earliest”, said the source.

The source further informed if the conversion works continue in the same way 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 conversion of meter gauge lines into broad gauge would be started in the second phase.