Agartala: hree parliamentarians from Tripura – Jitendra Chaudhury, Shankar Prasad Datta and Jharna Das Baidya wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today offering two options for early completion of gauge conversion work between Lumding and Agartala section.
The letter faxed to PMO, MPs reiterated the request to resort conversion work of railway track to broad gauge together in 210 km long Lumding-Silchar section and 227 km long Badarpur-Agartala section from 1st October next.
Offering another option, MPs suggested starting conversion in Badarpur-Agartala section immediately after completion of Lumding-Silchar section proposed in March 2015; so that by next 6-8 months the entire work to be completed.
Justifying the demand, MPs stated that Tripura will be the worst sufferer in gauge conversion, as it would create problem in ongoing development projects and infrastructure building because import of cement will be affected seriously.
Besides, cement, the suspension of railway service in Tripura will also disrupt the transportation of foodgrains, rice, fertilizer and essential commodities that could impact the inflation in the state.
They sought personal intervention of Prime Minister Modi in the matter as last attempt.
Earlier, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in two phases discussed the demand with Prime Minister Modi and Railway minister Sadananda Gowda and also flagged the issue in Northeastern Council (NEC) meeting at Guwahati in presence of DoNER minister former Army General (Retd) V K Singh.
Meanwhile, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) announced to suspend passenger trains from Agartala on September 26 next as proposed plan of the ministry unless decision is modified. NFR officials however, pointed out that resource constrains were the main reason for the ministry to divide the gauge into two sections. (UNI)
