Agartala (Tripura) [India], Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday wrote separate letters to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, seeking the intervention of the Center to operationalize international air and rail connectivity with Bangladesh.
Expressing his warmest wishes to the new Minister of Railways for having been entrusted with the charge of the Ministry for the second consecutive time.
Thanking the Minister of Railways for his previous works, the Minister wrote: "Under your leadership, we have witnessed significant progress in improving the efficiency, safety and reach of our railway network. Your vision of modernizing railway services and implementing cutting-edge technologies has not only improved the travel experience of millions of people, but also contributed to the socio-economic development of our state.
In his detailed letter, the Minister listed as many as 10 outstanding issues and sought the Railway Minister's intervention for a speedy solution, in which introduction of rail services between India and Bangladesh through Tripura topped the list.
"The issues include introduction of regular passenger and goods train services from Agartala (Tripura) - Kolkata via Dhaka, Bangladesh and Agartala (Tripura) to Chittagong (Bangladesh) via the newly inaugurated Agartala (India) -Akhaura ( Bangladesh).Electrification of railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom Conversion of existing single line railway tracks into double line tracks Introduction of additional daily passenger train on Agartala-Dharmanagar route,” the letter said.
The letter further said: “Apart from that, the minister also demanded: “Increase the number of coaches in local DEMUS. Agartala-Guwahati intercity train services. Introduction of Agartala-Jammu, Agartala-Puri Express and Agartala Gaya train services. Alternative rail connectivity from Pecharthal – Kailashahar-Dharmanagar (41.75 KM). Alternative rail connectivity from Dharmanagar to Belonia via Kailasahar, Kamalpur, Khowai and Agartala (178.72 KM). Belonia-Feni railway link."
On the other hand, the Minister also congratulated Union Civil Aviation Minister KR Naidu. Seeking the cooperation of the Union Minister for overall development of the civil aviation sector, he wrote: "As Transport Minister of Tripura, I look forward to working closely with your esteemed office to further strengthen the infrastructure and services related to civil aviation in our state."
Sushanta Chowdhury demanded upgradation of MBB Agartala Airport to International Airport: "By declaring MBB Airport as International Airport and operating International Flights from MBB Airport as Ministry of Finance, Government of India has already declared Agartala Airport as customs control. Extension/development and operationalization of the existing Kailashahar airport," his letter listed as main demands.
He also drew the Minister's attention to the recent exorbitant increase in airfares affecting passengers on scheduled flights.
"The recent withdrawal of IndiGo flights on routes like Kolkata Agartala Lengpui (Aizawl, Mizoram), Kolkata-Agartala-Shillong and Kolkata-Agartala includes flights IG7305, IG7954, IG7144 and flight 6E-6519 from Agartala to Kolkata has given rise at exorbitant air fares. These flights are crucial in connecting Kolkata, Agartala and Shillong, providing essential services. Their disruption sparked huge public criticism. This has an impact on sectors such as tourism, healthcare, emergency services, education and. the overall economy of the regions involved. Therefore, these services could be resumed immediately or the start of services on those routes could be arranged through other suitable air operators," the letter added.
Expressing his warmest wishes to the new Minister of Railways for having been entrusted with the charge of the Ministry for the second consecutive time.
Thanking the Minister of Railways for his previous works, the Minister wrote: "Under your leadership, we have witnessed significant progress in improving the efficiency, safety and reach of our railway network. Your vision of modernizing railway services and implementing cutting-edge technologies has not only improved the travel experience of millions of people, but also contributed to the socio-economic development of our state.
In his detailed letter, the Minister listed as many as 10 outstanding issues and sought the Railway Minister's intervention for a speedy solution, in which introduction of rail services between India and Bangladesh through Tripura topped the list.
"The issues include introduction of regular passenger and goods train services from Agartala (Tripura) - Kolkata via Dhaka, Bangladesh and Agartala (Tripura) to Chittagong (Bangladesh) via the newly inaugurated Agartala (India) -Akhaura ( Bangladesh).Electrification of railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom Conversion of existing single line railway tracks into double line tracks Introduction of additional daily passenger train on Agartala-Dharmanagar route,” the letter said.
The letter further said: “Apart from that, the minister also demanded: “Increase the number of coaches in local DEMUS. Agartala-Guwahati intercity train services. Introduction of Agartala-Jammu, Agartala-Puri Express and Agartala Gaya train services. Alternative rail connectivity from Pecharthal – Kailashahar-Dharmanagar (41.75 KM). Alternative rail connectivity from Dharmanagar to Belonia via Kailasahar, Kamalpur, Khowai and Agartala (178.72 KM). Belonia-Feni railway link."
On the other hand, the Minister also congratulated Union Civil Aviation Minister KR Naidu. Seeking the cooperation of the Union Minister for overall development of the civil aviation sector, he wrote: "As Transport Minister of Tripura, I look forward to working closely with your esteemed office to further strengthen the infrastructure and services related to civil aviation in our state."
Sushanta Chowdhury demanded upgradation of MBB Agartala Airport to International Airport: "By declaring MBB Airport as International Airport and operating International Flights from MBB Airport as Ministry of Finance, Government of India has already declared Agartala Airport as customs control. Extension/development and operationalization of the existing Kailashahar airport," his letter listed as main demands.
He also drew the Minister's attention to the recent exorbitant increase in airfares affecting passengers on scheduled flights.
"The recent withdrawal of IndiGo flights on routes like Kolkata Agartala Lengpui (Aizawl, Mizoram), Kolkata-Agartala-Shillong and Kolkata-Agartala includes flights IG7305, IG7954, IG7144 and flight 6E-6519 from Agartala to Kolkata has given rise at exorbitant air fares. These flights are crucial in connecting Kolkata, Agartala and Shillong, providing essential services. Their disruption sparked huge public criticism. This has an impact on sectors such as tourism, healthcare, emergency services, education and. the overall economy of the regions involved. Therefore, these services could be resumed immediately or the start of services on those routes could be arranged through other suitable air operators," the letter added.
