AGARTALA, Oct 9 (TIWN): During the inauguration of Delhi-Agartala Express train Union Minister Suresh Prabhu on 31st July at Agartala Railway Station said that Indian Railway Dept. is thinking to invest more for rail-connectivity in the coming years. He said on that day, “Two budgets on railway have already been placed by BJP led Central Govt. Last year it was Rs. 1 lakhs crores and next year we are planning to invest atleat 1.30 lankh crores”. Although Railway is undergoing loss, as the fare is determined for the common people, but still, understanding the need of railway for the sake of development, the central govt had decided to improve connectivity of railway across the state. In two budgets till day Central Govt has given importance to connectivity--- whether its Railway or its Roadway.

Suresh Prabhu also said, “When the whole state will be benefited with railway why the Northeast would be lagged behind?”, said Prabhu. He also said, “In 2- 3 years, the budget has been increased a lot. In 2014-15 it was 5,489 crores, in 2015-16 it was 6,100 crores, in 2016-17 the target will be atleatsRs. 7,000 crore”.

As the rail connectivity is fully controlling by the central govt. has yet there is now lethargy in rail work although due to PWD, National Highway is till day remained affected.

Stressing upon the importance of connectivity Prabhu said, “ The 8 NE states income will be increase more and more with this railway connectivity”. It can be said Tripura may see more developments in railway as the next budget kept for NE is really huge.

Already 3 more projects are running very fast :

1. Agartala-Sabroom railway lines,
2. Indo-Bangla railway lines,
3. Alternative route to Broad gauge--- which will increase the speed.

Another thing need to be mentioned here that Tripura Chief Minister although cries over central funds, but RBI recently has revealed that India Govt spent a huge & as per its highest capacity to Northeast region, extending more than the total amount govt receives from the Banks.

The Present Govt has allocated a total of INR53,706 (USD8.9 billion) for the FY 2014-2015 for the largey underdeveloped regions of North-east India.

Moreover, it has been said that most of the Central govt ministries are compulsorily required to earmark 10 percent of their budget for expenditure in the NER.

As investment has been proven as huge done by the central govt, now the state govt of Tripura has become an obstacle before development, who is just sitting on the chair for name-sake, without any developmental motive. Suresh Prabhu also asked Tripura Govt to utilize the railway service to boost bamboo products, but it’s clear Tripura can not see “Rapid” development unless the communists go away from Tripura-------although Central Govt is trying to push the state a lot by providing infrastructures directly.