Agartala, August 27:In a major milestone for Tripura’s connectivity and infrastructure, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has completed 100% electrification of the 271 km-long railway track stretching from Dharmanagar in the north (bordering Assam) to Sabroom in the south (bordering Bangladesh).
The project was executed at a cost of ₹58.28 crore provided by the Union government.
Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath made the announcement while inaugurating the 132 KV Transmission Lines and 132 KV Feeder Bays for Railway Traction Electrification at a programme held at the Agartala Railway Station Complex on Wednesday.
Highlighting the significance of the achievement, Nath said the shift from coal and diesel engines to electric trains will drastically reduce pollution, cut down travel time, and bring down freight charges, thereby boosting the economy and tourism sector as well.
Recalling Tripura’s railway journey, the Minister said that trains first reached Dharmanagar in 1964, took 44 years to extend to Agartala in 2008, and finally connected Sabroom in 2019.
“In just seven years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the state’s railway network has transformed—from the conversion of meter gauge to broad gauge, to the completion of the international rail link between Agartala and Bangladesh’s Akhaura in 2023,” Nath added.
The Minister also informed that Tripura currently operates 19 trains daily, carrying around 12,000 passengers.
“Out of India’s 69,500 km broad gauge network, 68,600 km are already electrified, which is over 98.8%. With today’s inauguration, Tripura is fully prepared to run electric trains whenever the Centre and NFR give the nod,” he said.
Nath further emphasized that growing power demand reflects modernization and development. “Since the double-engine government came to power, Tripura has witnessed massive progress across sectors, particularly in communication. Work on double railway lines is also underway, with the survey nearing completion. Without electricity, nothing is possible. That is why we are also setting up 45 solar-powered charging stations across the state,” he stated.
As part of the programme, the Minister virtually inaugurated three 132 KV transmission lines and feeder bays: PK Bari (Kumarghat) to Kumarghat Railway TSS, Banduar (Udaipur) to Udaipur Railway TSS, and Gamaitilla (Teliamura) to Teliamura Railway TSS.
The event was attended by MLA and Chief Whip Kalyani Roy, MLAs Meena Rani Sarkar and Abhishek Debroy, along with senior officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
