Agartala: Electric trains may soon become a reality in Tripura.
Trains running on electricity are likely to begin operations in Tripura by February this year, as authorities gear up to complete a key railway electrification project by February in the northeastern state, officials said on Monday.
Tripura, which currently operates diesel-powered trains, is set to join the national railway grid, offering faster and more efficient rail services.
The Rs 46-crore electrification project, which was launched in 2022, will connect Tripura with the national railway grid.
The North Eastern Railways (NFR) has already completed electrification work from Badarpur to Agartala via Dharmanagar in the northeastern state.
The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) will be ready to supply power to the electric transmission line of the Railways in the state by February, the officials said.
“After the completion of the three traction substations, the TSECL will be ready in all respects to energise the railway electric transmission line from Dharmanagar to Agartala and elsewhere,” said Nirupam Guha, Assistant General Manager (Transmission), TSECL.
Guha said had TSECL undertaken work for erection of three traction power substations at Kumarghat in Unakoti district, Teliamura in Khowai district and Udaipur in Gomati district.
The erection of Kumarghat substation was completed in March last year, he added.
He added that the Udaipur substation is likely to be completed by January-end, while the Teliamura substation will be ready by February.
Guha said that the Railways has requested 5 MW of power for each substation daily, with provisions to supply more if required.
“We are confident that once this project is completed, more advanced and faster trains will be introduced in the northeastern state. It will play a crucial role in boosting infrastructure and the economic growth of the state,” he said.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, said the electrification work has been completed from Badarpur to Agartala via Dharmanagar, barring the hilly stretch of the Lumding-Badarpur section.
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He emphasized that steps are being taken to expedite the completion of electrification work from Lumding to Agartala.
