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Uncertainty over pending projects in Tripura despite Ministry team’s visit to State : Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Airport modernization projects delay further
TIWN
Uncertainty over pending projects in Tripura  despite Ministry team’s visit to State : Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Airport modernization projects delay further
PHOTO : Executive Director of Railway Board Traction, Vivek Kumar visits Agartala Railway Station on May 28, 2015. TIWN Pic

AGARTALA, May 30 (TIWN): Despite the visit of Ministry of Railways, Railway Board team here in Tripura, uncertainty dogs over the track-laying work for the Agartala-Akhaura rail link. Earlier it was pointed out that India is keen to finish the work as soon as possible to expedite affordable and reliable connectivity between the northeast and Bangladesh. But Railway Board Executive Director (Traction) Vivek Kumar during his recent visit to the state stated, “Central govt. has not yet sanctioned the fund for the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project.”Bangladesh government is also keen to set up the Railway link soon to improve trade relations with India. But the delay by the central govt. has brought an uncertainty over the project work, said state govt. official here. A delegation of Railway Board led by ED (Traction) Vivek Kumar has visited Agartala Railway Station and taken a stock of the situation of undergoing BG conversion work here in Agartala. However, asked about the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project Vivek failed to provide any updates on it.The project will be funded by Central Govt and is expected to cost around Rs 271 crore. The railway link will not only facilitate transhipment facilities between the two countries, it is also expected to increase trade volumes.

During the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit in January 2010, both countries had agreed to set up a second railway link between the two countries through Agartala.

Bangladesh and India signed a MoU in February 2013 for linking Agartala and Akhaura railway stations to connect Bangladesh railways with the north eastern states.

Besides, another uncertainty dogs over the much awaited Agartala airport expansion work. The recent visit of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Chairman R K Srivastava to the state has brought no major development to the status of the expansion work of the Agartala airport.

During his visit Srivastava failed to detail the commencement of the project work. As of now a total of 72 acres of land has already been acquired for the expansion work amongst which 10.6 acres of land for the construction of the Terminal building during the first phase and 62 acres of land for the construction of runway. Besides expressing displeasure over the delay of the project work Minister Manik Dey said, a total of Rs. 35 crore was spend as of now by the state govt. here in regard of the acquisition of land.  

However, but the delay has caused several hurdles for the state govt. officials here. Srivastava said that the consultancy has not yet been recruited whereas the design of the project yet to be made. The work would commence very soon, he said but failed to announce the tentative date at least.

Agartala airport is the second busiest in the northeast region after Guwahati airport in Assam. At least 22 flights operate to and from Agartala every day, carrying about 2,700 passengers.

The Agartala airport would be the third international standard airport after the Guwahati and Imphal airports. Imphal's Tulihal airport was recently declared as an international airport after its modernisation.

The Agartala airport modernisation project involves upgrading of the runway and aprons, construction of six aerobridges, three elevators and two escalators besides walkways to connect the international arrival and departure levels.

 

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