AGARTALA, Nov 18 (TIWN): Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha who is scheduled to arrive in the state on Nov 21 is also scheduled to flag off the passenger train service on the newly built BG track from Lumding to silchar on nov 21 itself, although there is no official confirmation yet. Just a few hours for the passenger train to start its journey between Silchar – Lumding. Railway is planning to start the service from November 21. This will pave the way of starting passenger trains between Silchar – Agartala without any hurdles. According to expert, until and unless train service commence between Silchar – Lumding, Tripura cannot make a place in railway map of the country. It is quintessential to start train service between Silchar – Lumding. It is to be mentioned here that On October 13, railway safety board have cleared the route is ready for passenger service.But as there were some minor drawbacks the process was delayed. The early train service starts it will pave the way to start the railway service in Tripura.

If everything falls in place, NFR railway intends to introduce passenger services shortly in Silchar-Lumding section in a phased manner as per following timings: (tentative): Silchar - Dimapur – Mariani, Silchar - Guwahati – Alipurdwar,  and Silchar - Guwahati – Sealdah.

The 210km Silchar-Lumding broad gauge route has 21 tunnels, 79 major bridges, 340 small bridges and 28 crossing stations with four halt stations. The maximum permissible speed of the train in hilly area is 70kmph while in plains it is 100kmph.

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in the presence of the then Union railway minister Ram Vilas Paswan laid the foundation stone of Silchar-Lumding project in April 1996.

Once passengers service will kicjk off in the lumbding-silchar route it will pave the way for the beginning of the BG service soon in Tripura. The successful run of the trains on the broad-gauge track will bring sync with those in the rest of the country and Tripura along with Silachar is gearing up for faster connectivity and communication with several parts of the nation.

In order to make the Agartala Railway Station as perfect station, different works including extension of platforms, creation of new platforms and installation of new BG rail tracks have been started. As part of Mega block, the BG conversion works are also going on in full swing in Agartala railway station.

However, cross bridges over the rail line at every platform of the rail stations will also be constructed to ensure free movement of the passengers and to avoid any untoward incident.

With the introduction of the BG facility, Tripura will get connected with the other part of the nation easily.