Tripura CM Manik Saha Discusses Railway Development with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Agartala, February 19, 2025: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha met with Union Minister of Railways and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, at Rail Bhavan in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss railway infrastructural development in Tripura.
During the meeting, CM Saha requested the Centre to operate a Kissan Rail service between Agartala and Guwahati. He also discussed the introduction of a Vande Bharat train, an Inter-City train between Agartala and Guwahati, and a local train between Dharmanagar and Sabroom. Furthermore, discussions included laying a new track between Jirania-Bodhjungnagar (Industrial Estate) and Dharmanagar-Kailashar.
This meeting underscores the Tripura government’s focus on enhancing railway connectivity and infrastructure in the state.
Key Discussion Points:
Vande Bharat Train: The proposal to introduce a Vande Bharat train could significantly improve travel times and comfort for passengers between Tripura and other major cities.
Inter-City Train: An inter-city train between Agartala and Guwahati would enhance regional connectivity, benefiting both business travelers and tourists.
Local Train: A local train between Dharmanagar and Sabroom would improve intra-state connectivity, facilitating easier commute for local residents.
New Track Laying: Laying new tracks between Jirania-Bodhjungnagar and Dharmanagar-Kailashar would boost industrial and commercial activities by providing better transportation links.
Kissan Rail: Operating Kissan Rail between Agartala and Guwahati would help the farmers.
Implications and Benefits:
Economic Growth: Improved railway infrastructure would boost trade, commerce, and industrial development in Tripura.
Connectivity: Enhanced rail connectivity would provide better access to markets and opportunities for the people of Tripura.
Tourism: Better rail services would attract more tourists, benefiting the local economy.
Agricultural benefits: Operation of Kissan Rail will benefit the farmers in the region.
The operation of the Kissan Rail is expected to bring several benefits to Tripura’s farmers and its economy:
Connect to Distant Markets: Kissan Rail aims to connect production centers to markets and consumption centers, giving farmers the opportunity to transport and sell their products directly at places where they can get a better price.
Transport of Perishable Goods: It facilitates the transport of perishable agri-products such as fruits (like jackfruit and pineapple), vegetables, milk, meat, and fish.
Increased Income: Farmers in other regions have reported increased income (up to 25%) due to Kissan Rail services. The service helps farmers get a higher price for their products at low transportation costs.
Reduced Transportation Costs: Commodities booked via Kisan Rail trains are charged at ‘P’-scale of parcel tariff. A 50% subsidy in freight is granted on the transportation of fruits and vegetables.
Reduced Transportation Time: The Kisan Rail can cut transport time significantly. In its initial runs, it reduced transport time by 15 hours and saved farmers Rs1,000 per tonne.
No Minimum Quantity Requirement: There is no limit on the minimum size of consignments. Small and marginal farmers can send even small quantities, like “a few dozen eggs,” making the service accessible to a wider range of farmers.
Boost Local Economy: The operation of Kissan Rail is hoped to be a boon for the farmers of the state.
Supporting COVID Times: It will greatly benefit the farmers of the state in critical times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent Developments:
CM Saha has been actively pursuing various development projects for Tripura, including improvements to Vidya Jyoti Schools and transforming TIT into a technical university.
He has also met with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss these initiatives.
CM Saha has previously sought the Railway Minister’s intervention to expedite railway projects in Tripura.
Conclusion:
The meeting between CM Saha and Union Minister Vaishnaw is a positive step towards improving railway infrastructure and connectivity in Tripura. The proposals discussed have the potential to significantly boost economic growth, enhance connectivity, and improve the lives of the people in the state. The active involvement of the Chief Minister in pursuing these projects reflects the government’s commitment to the development of Tripura.
