Agartala-Akhaura Railway link, Maitri Setu to be operationalized soon: CM

Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha announced on Friday that the Maitri Setu and the Agartala-Akhaura Railway Link will soon be operational.

He stated that the current government is working to maintain peace and tranquility in the state, which is attracting many investors.

"Election is almost over, and a new government will be formed. Under the leadership of PM Modi, who has always emphasized the Act East Policy and provided us with the HIRA Model, the Maitri Setu will naturally be operational soon. The trial in Agartala-Akahura railway link has already been completed, and it will also start soon. Many investors are coming, and yesterday I also held a meeting. The future of Tripura is bright. After the rail connectivity is established, we will be able to reach Kolkata in a short period," he added.

Earlier, on Wednesday,  Anil Kumar Khandelwal, General Manager of East Central Railway and Member Infrastructure of Railway Board during his inspection at Agartala-Akhaura rail route said that the passenger and goods train will soon start in the newly built international railway route and the much awaited electrification of Dharmanagar to Sabroom via Agartala railway line will be completed by this year.

Anil Kumar Khandelwal said that the entire stretch of railway network from Agartala station to Nischintapur station on Indian side to Gangasagar station (first station on the Bangladesh side)  is completely ready for both passenger and goods train operations.

Khandelwal accompanied by top officials of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said that after a green signal from both India and Bangladesh governments, the Railway will start its passenger and good train services from Agartala to Bangladesh

This development came a decade after the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start the first Indo-Bangla international railway service between Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India).

Earlier, in October, 2023 after the first trial run was successful, the first goods train running on meter gauge entered Nischintapur from Bangladesh. The distance from Gangasagar to here is 8.1 km and the total project length is 12.24 km including 5.46 km on the Indian side and 6.7 km in Bangladesh. Gangasagar is the first station (on the Bangladesh side) that connects India via Nischintapur.