SILCHAR / DHARMANAGAR/ AGARTALA, May 2 (TIWN): Tripura’s golden day in history began as the first BG (broad gauge) Train flagged off from Silchar on Monday morning 9am,arrived Dharmanagar at 2.10pm, expected to arrive Agartala at 7.10pm. After six decades of apathy by Congress govt at centre on upgrading infrastructure in northeast India, finally due to the PM Narendra Modi’s look east policy Tripura witnessing the first trial run of train in the newly converted Agartala-Badarpur BG track in the state. Today the first train (bearing number 05664 down) whistled past the Silchar station on May 2 at around 9 am, arrived Dharmanagar at 2.10pm, expected to reach Agartala at around 7.10 pm. Huge rush of passengers were seen on Monday at Silchar Station to be part of this historic journey. There are 12 coaches, including five general second class compartments, five chair car and two SLRs in the two trains for Agartala.Raising the hope of the people Tripura to a new heights North Eastern Frontier Railway has officially announced to start BG Passenger Trail Train in Silchar -Agartala route from 2nd May. BG trial Train arrived at Dharmanagar at 2.10pm amid the frantic cheers of thousands of people, who braved rain to witness the historic day of Tripura.

In a letter issued from the Office of the General Manager( Operations) , NF Railway , Malligaon, Guwahati vide No.T./281/46/SCL-AGT/Special/DRM/Lumding  dated 29/04/2016 NFR announced that NFR has decided to run one pair of Trail Passenger Special Train between Agartala-Silchar for temporary basis in the newly converted BG section.

The trains are as follows :

1) 05664 Up Silchar-Agartala Trial Passenger Special

2) 05663 Dn Agartala-Silchar Trial Passenger Special

 The trial train runs on 2nd May (today) and on 4th May while the second trial train will run on 3rd May and 5th May .

The composition of the trial trains will be 2 SLR, 10 GS/GSCZ (12) with one rake .  Primary maintenance will be done at Silchar as such facilities along with cleaning facilities are not available at  Agartala Station

 It is to be mentioned here that on Friday NFR officials held talks with Chief Secretary Yashpal Singh in the state Secretariate .

In this meeting the NFR officials briefed the CS about the progress of BG connectivity in upto Agartala. But the NFR officials categorically mentions that the dates for regular BG train services will be finalised after the declaration of results of the on going Assembly polls of five state. The results will be declared on 19th of May 2016. It means that if everything goes well the process may take one month to get completed .

 However, replying to a query of TIWN , NF Railway clearly stayed that many of the infrastructural public amenity facilities are yet to come up in Agartala-Badarpur Section. This reply has been given from the Office of the General Manager , NF Railway, Maligaon, Guwahati on 19th of April and has been uploaded in the PGPORTAL also.

In its written reply NFR stated that trains shall be introduced on completion of all the activities . Thus, the indication is clear that regular train services may be delayed by a few more days. And it is to be mentioned here that presently some mishaps occurred in Silchar area and NFR workers are doing on war time emergency to repair the damage. But such mishaps are common .

The fact is that public amenity facilities are an essential demand before commencing regular BG train services. At present Agartala station lacks many of such facilities . Thus, it is expected that that NFR is looking to start regular BG train services from Agartala keeping May end as a target date.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Manik Sarkar too has told the NFR officials that state gov't will make a gala event to mark the commencement of regular BG train services from Agartala. It is learnt that state gov't will invite Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to remain present on this occasion. Invitation may also be made to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be here if the PM can make it . 

At a time when passenger train services on the Silchar-Guwahati route is affected due to landslide at the hill section in the Dima Hasao district, NF Railways has decided to start trial trains between Silchar and Agartala.  

Developing the transportation and railway connectivity in landlocked Tripura and Northeast region is one of the top most priorities of the Central Govt. 

NFR Railway letter showing commencement of Silchar-Agartala Train. But today train started early at 9am from Silchar instead of 11.15am.