TBM Staff - Mumbai
Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has written separate letters to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, seeking the Centre’s intervention to operationalise international air and railway connectivity with Bangladesh.
In his letter to the Railway Minister, Chowdhury congratulated him on being entrusted with the charge of the Ministry for the second time in a row. He appreciated the Minister’s previous works, stating that under his stewardship, significant strides have been made in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reach of the railway network. The Minister listed out 10 pending issues and sought the Railway Minister’s intervention for speedy redressal, with the introduction of railway services between India and Bangladesh through Tripura being the top priority.
The letter also demanded the electrification of railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom, conversion of existing single-line rail tracks into double-line tracks, and the introduction of additional daily passenger trains on the Agartala-Dharmanagar route. Other demands included increasing the number of coaches in Local DEMUS, introducing new train services, and establishing alternative rail connectivity from Pecharthal to Belonia.
In his letter to the Civil Aviation Minister, Chowdhury congratulated him and sought cooperation for the overall development of the civil aviation sector in Tripura. He demanded the upgradation of the MBB airport Agartala to an international airport and the extension/development and operationalisation of the existing Kailashahar Airport.
The Minister also drew attention to the recent exorbitant hike in flight fares affecting regular flight passengers due to the withdrawal of IndiGo flights on crucial routes connecting Kolkata, Agartala, and Shillong. He requested the resumption of these services or the arrangement of alternative services through other suitable air operators.
The letters highlight Tripura’s efforts to enhance its international connectivity and address the challenges faced by the state’s air and rail transport sectors. The Minister’s demands underscore the importance of improved connectivity for the state’s economic and social development.
