Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Achieves 100% Electrification of State’s Railway Network
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has reached a major milestone by successfully completing 100% electrification of the state’s 271 km railway network. This achievement was announced by Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on August 27 during the inauguration of the 132 KV transmission lines and feeder bays for railway traction electrification at the Agartala Railway Station Complex.
Minister Nath highlighted the state’s railway journey, noting that the first train reached Dharmanagar in 1964. It wasn’t until 2008 that the service extended to Agartala and eventually reached Sabroom in 2019 after a long gap of 44 years. He credited the transformation of Tripura’s railway network to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that within seven years of assuming office in 2014, significant progress was made. The old meter gauge line was converted into broad gauge, and the international railway link from Agartala to Akhaura in Bangladesh was completed in 2023, resulting in a total of 271 km of broad gauge line from Churaibari to Sabroom.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, modernization work is currently underway at Agartala, Udaipur, Kumarghat, and Dharmanagar stations. Currently, Tripura operates 19 long-distance trains, including prestigious ones like the Rajdhani Express, Humsafar Express, Tripurasundari Express, Jan Shatabdi, Kanchanjunga Express, and Garib Rath, along with four DEMU trains that serve nearly 12,000 passengers daily.
Minister Nath also mentioned the ongoing survey work for a double line across the state, emphasizing the evolution of railways from coal to diesel and now to electricity. He highlighted the environmental benefits of electrification, stating that out of India’s 69,500 km of broad gauge lines, over 98.8% are already electrified. Tripura now proudly joins this network with its fully electrified 271 km line, allowing for electric trains to run from Churaibari to Sabroom at any time.
In addition, Nath announced plans to set up 45 charging stations across Tripura to support the growing demand for renewable energy. This move underscores the state’s commitment to sustainability and green power as it continues to make strides in modernizing its railway infrastructure.
