Now a train which connects Bengaluru to Agartala, improves Northeast connectivity
On January 5, 2017, Tripura’s capital city, Agartala, was linked with Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru by "Humsafar Express”. With the introduction of this train service, it becomes the second city in the Northeast to get a newly introduced train, equipped with modern facilities.
Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain flagged off the weekly train that will link the two state capitals via Kamakhya, Howrah, Cuttack, and Vijayawada. The event held on Friday was a formal inauguration, and the services for the public will start on January 9, 2017.
The train service was launched from Kamakhya to Bengaluru, covering a distance of 3,030 km, on December 25, 2016. Now, the same train service has been extended till Agartala covering a distance of 3,544 km in 64 hours and 15 minutes.
According to the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), the train will halt at seven stations between Agartala and Guwahati, and has 26 stoppages between Agartala and Bengaluru Cantonment station.
The Humsafar Express is a fully AC 3-tier service which will prove to be useful to people in Bengaluru who have migrated from Tripura for either educational or professional purpose. While speaking with the Bangalore Mirror, Pratik Debarrma, who is originally from Agartala, and has been living in Bengaluru for 17 years, said,
I travel to Tripura twice a year through flight. The air fares are around Rs 6,000 - Rs 8,000. Direct trains from Bengaluru will help us as it makes our remote hometown more accessible.
The NFR is now extending the railway line up to southern Tripura's bordering town Sabroom, 135 km south of Agartala. This is a part of the continuous efforts being made to work towards improving the connectivity with the Northeastern region of India.
(With inputs from IANS)
Do you have an interesting story to share? Please write to us at [email protected]. To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.