During an election rally held at Dhanpur in the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency, Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik announced the forthcoming introduction of the Vande Bharat Express, a medium-distance superfast train service. The project, initiated by the Northeastern Frontier Railway (NFR), aims to revolutionise rail connectivity within the region.
Highlighting the ongoing electrification works by the North East Frontier Railway from Dharmanagar to Agartala, Bhoumik highlighted the transformative impact this initiative will have on travel time and convenience for passengers. During her meeting with Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the railway works in the Northeastern States, she was told that the electrification project will be completed by June or July, paving the way for enhanced rail connectivity.
Bhoumik noted that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will significantly reduce travel time between Agartala and Guwahati, cutting it down to just four to five hours from current time of 12 hours. She lauded the remarkable progress made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the swift advancements in railway infrastructure compared to previous administrations.
The Union Minister highlighted the Modi Government’s commitment to expanding railway services to underserved regions, citing the extension of broad gauge railway service up to Agartala within just two years.
“While it took 44 years for erstwhile governments to bring a train from Dharmanagar to Churaibari, PM Modi’s administration accomplished the extension of broad gauge railway service up to Agartala in just two years,” she remarked.
Further, she revealed plans for extending the railway service up to Sabroom by 2020, enhancing connectivity in the southern part of Tripura.
Acknowledging the transformative impact of PM Modi’s leadership, Bhoumik highlighted multiple welfare schemes and infrastructural projects initiated in Tripura. The State has got as many as six universities in the past six years, besides numerous welfare schemes such as PMAY, PM-Kishan, Ayushman Bharat and Jan Dhan Yojana, said Bhoumik.
