Rupnarayan Sunker, a member of the Indian Railway Board, recently visited Agartala to oversee the progress of the Agartala-Nischintapur rail line, which will connect the Indian Railway with Bangladesh at Akhaura. Sunker was accompanied by other senior officials, including the head of the Lumding division, Prem Ranjan Kumar.
The proposed Indo-Bangla Rail Line is set to be 12.23 kilometers long, out of which 5.46 kilometers fall on the Indian side. During Sunker’s visit, it was revealed that the progress on India’s side is satisfactory, with completion standing at 89 percent. However, on the Bangladesh side, progress is lagging behind at only 75 percent.
Sunker’s visit was prompted by a high-level meeting he attended at Maligaon, the headquarters of NF Railway. After the meeting, Sunker decided to visit the progress of the Indo-Bangla Railway line in Agartala.
Sunker’s visit is significant as it shows that the Indian government is serious about the Indo-Bangla Rail Line project. The project has been in the works for some time now and is expected to boost trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh. It will also provide an alternate and shorter route for the transportation of goods from India’s northeastern states to the rest of India.
The Agartala-Nischintapur rail line is a crucial component of the Indo-Bangla Rail Line project. It is being built at a cost of INR 968 crore and is expected to be completed by 2023. The line will have six stations and will be double-tracked, enabling the smooth movement of goods and passengers.
During his visit, Sunker also visited the Agartala Railway Station and enquired about its problems and prospects of further developments. The railway station has been in need of infrastructure upgrades for some time now. In response to Sunker’s visit, the railway officials highlighted the need for better connectivity and infrastructure for the station. They also requested funding for the installation of additional escalators and lifts, which would help improve passenger mobility within the station.
The Agartala Railway Station is a crucial railway hub for the region, serving as the main gateway to the northeastern states of India. The station has seen significant development in recent years, with new facilities and services being added. However, there is still a long way to go before it can become a world-class railway station.
Sunker’s visit to Agartala highlights the Indian government’s commitment to improving connectivity and infrastructure in the northeastern states of India. The region has been historically neglected in terms of development, and the government’s recent initiatives, such as the Indo-Bangla Rail Line project, aim to change that.
The Indo-Bangla Rail Line project is also significant from a geopolitical perspective. It is expected to boost trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh, which will help build stronger ties between the two nations. It will also provide an alternate route for the transportation of goods from India’s northeastern states to the rest of India, reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity.
Rupnarayan Sunker’s visit to Agartala is a significant development in the Indo-Bangla Rail Line project. The project has the potential to transform the transportation and trade landscape of the region, and the Indian government’s commitment to its completion is a positive sign. The project will not only improve connectivity and infrastructure in the northeastern states of India but also build stronger ties between India and Bangladesh.
