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Broad-Gauge conversion of Silchar-Agartala likely to be completed soon : Union Railway Minister
TIWN
Broad-Gauge conversion of Silchar-Agartala likely to be completed soon : Union Railway Minister
PHOTO : Agartala Railway Station. TIWN File Photo

AGARTALA, February 26 (TIWN): Broad-Gauge conversion of Silchar-Agartala will likely to be completed soon- says Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. Though Minister not clearly mention anything particular for Tripura, but the initiatives taken for North-East, according to the National project taken for the year 2015-2019, highlights that something is coming for Tripura. However, broad Gauge conversion work upto Barak Valley will be completed by March. Further, new highlights mentioned by Minister is to allocate funds for the National Project coverage, for North-East and Kashmir, a total of 33900 crore rupees for four years will be invested.More so, the budget did not specify by when the railway extension work upto Sabroom would be completed. No new rail was proposed for the Northeast region while there was no proposal of Indo­-Bangla railway link in the budget. Sharply reacting to the proposed Railway Budget for the 2015-2019, the ruling CPM today said it was a true picture of wooing corporate lobby and a deliberate attempt to put more burdens on the common people

“Though additional funds have been proposed in the budget for executing ongoing rail projects in Northeast region, there was no word on the ongoing Broad Gauge (BG) conversion work upto Agartala”, they said.

Though the major highlights of the railway budget mentioned are:

1. No increase in passenger fares

2. No new trains announced

3. Central government to outlay likely to at 41 per cent (Rs.45, 100 crore) in 2015-16

4. SMS alert to be introduced for train timings

5. To introduce air-conditioned coaches for suburban trains

6. Wi-Fi to be available at 400 railway stations

7. To develop 10 satellite railway stations this year

8.800 km of gauge conversion will be commissioned

9. E-catering introduced in 108 trains, can order on IRCTC website

10. Railways plans to spend over Rs. 8 lakh crore over five years

11. Pension funds, multi-lateral banks have evinced interest in Railways

12. Proposed the best operating ratio in nine years, of 88.5 per cent for 2015-16

13. Passenger travelling unreserved can procure a ticket within 5 minutes

14. Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed

15. Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done

16. Hand-held devices for ticket checkers for moving towards paperless ticketing

17. Centrally managed railway display network in over 2000 stations in next 2 years

18. Railways will play a big role in socio-economic development of the country

19. Railways carry a big burden of expectations

20.6608 kms of track to be electrified

21. Projects worth Rs. 96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines

22. CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety

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