Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has successfully completed 100% electrification of the state’s 271 km-long railway track, marking a new era in the state’s connectivity and infrastructure growth.
The announcement was made by Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday while inaugurating the 132 KV Transmission Lines and 132 KV Feeder Bays for Railway Traction Electrification at the Agartala Railway Station Complex.
Journey of Railways in Tripura
Recounting the history of Tripura’s railway network, the minister highlighted the progress made over the decades.
- In 1964, the first train reached Dharmanagar in North Tripura.
- It took 44 years for the railway to extend to Agartala in 2008.
- The rail line finally touched Sabroom, the southernmost tip of Tripura, in 2019.
Minister Nath credited the transformative changes to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whom significant projects like broad-gauge conversion and international rail connectivity were achieved.
“Earlier, the tracks were meter gauge, but after 2014, broad-gauge conversion was completed. In 2023, the Agartala-Akhaura International Rail Link with Bangladesh was also commissioned. Within just seven years, the entire 271 km stretch from Churaibari to Sabroom has been electrified, reflecting the strong commitment of both the central and state governments to Tripura’s development,” Nath said.
Electrification and Modernization
With the completion of electrification, Tripura now joins the national mission of green and efficient rail transport. The minister noted that across India, 98.8% of the 69,500 km of broad-gauge railway lines have already been electrified.
“Coal and diesel-based trains harm the environment. Today, trains run on electricity because that is the future. From Churaibari to Sabroom, the entire line is electrified, and we are ready to operate electric trains as soon as the Central Government and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) decide,” he added.
To further strengthen sustainability, the government is also setting up solar-powered charging stations at 45 locations across Tripura.
Expanding Railway Services in Tripura
Highlighting the improved rail services, Nath informed that 19 trains now operate from Tripura, including:
- Humsafar Express
- Kanchanjunga Express
- Agartala-Silchar Express
- Tripurasundari Express
- Rajdhani Express
- Jan Shatabdi Express
- Agartala-Guwahati Express
- Garib Rath Express
- Mumbai Special
In addition, four DEMU trains are currently operational, collectively carrying around 12,000 passengers daily.
The minister also revealed that work on a double-line railway project is underway, with survey work nearing completion. “Everyone must adapt to change, or they will be left behind. Just as coal gave way to diesel, and diesel to electricity, this is the evolution of progress,” he remarked.
Future Upgrades Under Amrit Bharat Scheme
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, major upgrades are in progress at four important railway stations: Agartala, Udaipur, Kumarghat, and Dharmanagar. These stations are being modernized to provide improved facilities for passengers, reflecting the government’s vision to create world-class rail infrastructure in the Northeast.
Presence of Leaders and Officials
The inauguration ceremony at Agartala Railway Station was attended by several dignitaries, including MLA and Chief Whip Kalyani Roy, MLA Meena Rani Sarkar, MLA Abhishek Debroy, and senior officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
A Milestone for Tripura
The electrification of Tripura’s entire railway line not only enhances efficiency and reduces dependence on fossil fuels but also positions the state as a vital link in the region’s growing connectivity network. With eco-friendly, faster, and cost-effective train operations on the horizon, the project is being hailed as a historic milestone in Tripura’s journey of development.