AGARTALA, Nov 24 (TIWN): BJP State President Biplab Deb on Thursday told TIWN that due to 2 day long visit the passengers are facing tough times in Tripura Sundari Express Train as there is no pantry car yet. “There are 7 / 8 local trains, where pantry cars are there, I asked the Central govt to shift the pantry cars in Tripura Sundari as it’s a 2 day long visit. The necessity of pantry car is more needed in 2 day long journey in Tripura Sundari, whereas the short time visitors do not need that in local trains”, said Deb. He further said that during his meeting at New Delhi with Central Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain, he discussed about the problems facing by the passengers in Tripura Sundari Express due to absence of Pantry car and other similar issues and told him to use other pantry cars on temporary basis at Tripura Sundari Express.

Central Minister of State for Railways Gohain reportedly assured BJP state president Deb that he will look after the issues and how to solve the Pantry car problem in Tripura Sundari Express will be seen soon. 

The Tripura BJP President is again to visit Delhi soon, and he would discuss about the issue there. However, he also mentioned due to the Kanpur accident this is not the right time to stress on this issue, but soon the issue will be raised.

It’s worthy to mention here that headquarters of the Railways, underscoring the intricacies in providing the facility on a long-distance train, especially when the catering policy is set to be overhauled.

On the other hand, only a dozen pantry cars are made every year, and the choice is between a pantry car and a sleeper coach, because a locomotive can haul only a 24-coach rake. The Railways seems to prefer a sleeper coach to a pantry car.

The Tripura Sundari Express train began on July 31st and Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu himself inaugurated the train from Agartala Railway Station.

The Minister said on the occasion, “The modernization of railways in North East is very important and Govt. is thinking how to develop the projects with more facilities. Train speed would be increased further in coming months”.

However with the introduction of pantry cars the situation will be further better.