7000 Crore Investment for North East Railways: Suresh Prabhu

Suresh Prabhu also informed that Indian railways will invest more than Rs.7,000 crore in the current fiscal year to develop its network in the seven north-eastern states.

NEW DELHI 1st August, 2016: The first passenger train to connect Agartala from New Delhi has been flagged off by Mr Suresh Prabhu, Union Cabinet Minister for Railways. Tripura Sundari Express the train will run once a week with a journey time of 47 hours.

The railways will invest more than Rs.7,000 crore in the current fiscal year to develop its network in the seven north-eastern states, Prabhu said, adding, in 2014-15, onlyRs.2,702 crore was spent for this purpose.

Initiatives for better connectivity in the region will result in all-round development in the north-east and gradually, the region will have the highest per capita income in the country, Prabhu said. The minister also announced plans to start an Agartala-Kolkata train service.

“Increase of inter-state connectivity and connectivity between the region and the rest of the country are being given the highest priority. Available connectivity will boost the region’s economy,” Prabhu said.

At a function in Agartala, the minister also laid the foundation stone for a 15km rail link that will connect the capital of Tripura to Akhaura in Bangladesh.

If the facilities of the Chittagong port can be used, then trade and economy of both north-east India and Bangladesh will flourish, he said.

The minister added that India is keen to increase railway connectivity with Bangladesh.