AGARTALA, May 17 (TIWN): Project proposal for land acquisition of 4.3 km Agartala – Akhaura rail link has been submitted to Tripura government, a top railway official source said here on Saturday. The remaining 700 meter project proposal will be submitted once the survey is completed.

After the submission of proposal by railway department, now the government will start acquisition of land for laying the track .After that work will start as New Delhi plans to implement the project within two years. The Government of India has sanctioned Rs.2.52 core for laying the railway track between Akhaura and Agartala said the official.

Speaking about the Agartala – Udaipur rail link, the official said the work has gained momentum after the recent removal of 87 obstructions at various places by the administration. The target for commissioning the rail link is March 31^st, 2015. However, commissioning of Agartala – Sabroom rail link likely to take time as the department yet to get clearance from Union Ministry of Forest and Environment.    

It may recall here that both India and Bangladesh would complete works in their side. IRCON, an undertaking of Indian Railway, would work as consultant and the External Affairs Ministry of India will bear the cost of the project.

Of the 15.054 km railway track, only 5 km fall in Indian side and the rest is in Bangladesh. The tracks would be laid in meter gauge on broad gauge format so that it could be converted into broad gauge when necessary.

During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi in January 2010, India and Bangladesh had agreed to lay the tracks between Akhaura and Agartala.