AGARTALA/ DHARMANAGAR /SILCHAR, May 3 (TIWN): Agartala leaped into history as the first BG (broad gauge) Passenger Train flagged off from Silchar on Monday morning 9am, arrived Agartala at 6pm, one hour before scheduled time. On Monday, the first train (bearing number 05664 down) whistled past the Silchar station at around 9 am, arrived Dharmanagar at 2.10pm, finally reached Agartala at around 6pm. Huge rush of passengers were seen on Monday at Agartala 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. 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. Talking to TIWN on Monday evening, Transport Minister Manik Dey said even though BG train already reached in Agartala rail station, but he could not be present due to prior engagements.

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.

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. 

On Tuesday morning, same train to start its journey back to Silchar. Tripura's this golden moment was possible only due to dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Transport Minister Manik Dey while talking to TIWN said that State Govt woul extend all co-operations to NFR Railways.

However most important question remains that, how BG electric engines will operate smoothly in power-crippled Tripura where more than 12 hrs loadsheddings are daily affair ???