In a notable development for rail connectivity in Tripura, the Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express train service has been extended to include Sabroom in the South District. This expansion was proposed by the state government and subsequently approved by the Railway Board.
Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, shared the announcement on his social media platform, expressing appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their support. According to an official notification, the Railway Board has granted approval for the extension of train number 13173/13174 SDAH-AGTL-SDAH Kanchanjunga Express, which operates four days a week, now reaching Sabroom.
The responsibility for implementing the extended train service falls upon the Northeast Frontier Railway, tasked with making all necessary arrangements. This extension is anticipated to significantly bolster rail connectivity in South Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala districts, promising substantial benefits for the local populace.
In response to the railway extension’s approval, former MLA Shankar Roy expressed his satisfaction, remarking, “I proposed in the Legislative Assembly, during my tenure as an MLA, to introduce various long-distance train services from Sabroom to different states, excluding the Rajdhani Express. Today, I am elated that the Railway Department has approved one long-distance train, the Kanchenjunga Express, to run from Sabroom.”
He commended the sustained efforts of the Indian Prime Minister and the state government.
Dr. Ranjit Dey, a renowned folklore researcher, also commended the initiative, viewing it as a positive step towards connecting this remote and hilly state to railway services and Sabroom to other states. He anticipated significant improvements in development and employment opportunities with the introduction of railway services.
In a separate development, the central government has officially designated the Nischintapur Railway Station in Tripura as a Land Customs Station (LCS). This decision is a component of the broader Agartala-Akhaura international rail link project, aimed at facilitating seamless international rail connectivity.
Tripura’s Transport Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, made this announcement via social media, noting that the declaration of Nischintapur Railway Station as an LCS was made by the Government of India through a gazette notification on September 6. He described this as a significant step toward realizing the long-awaited international rail link and extended sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Chief Minister of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha for their support and commitment to the project.