JULY 31, 2016, would be remembered by the people of Tripura as a day of fulfilment of their long-cherished dream with the flagging-off of the ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ from Agartala to New Delhi. The first ever passenger train from Agartala railway station after gauge conversion was flagged off jointly by Union Railways Minister Suresh, Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Rails Rajen Borgonhai, Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey and Bangladesh Railway Minister Mujibul Hoque. Simultaneously, the foundation stone for construction of Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail track was laid raising high hope in the minds of people of India and Bangladesh to further deepen fraternity and friendship. Cost of this project of 15 km rail track is Rs 967.85 crore. Out of total 15 km, 5 km falls in Tripura and 10 km in Bangladesh. Construction cost of Indian and Bangladesh part would be separately borne by DONNER and the Foreign Affairs Ministries of the Government of India. After completion of this project, not only Agartala-Kolkata railway linking would be easier, it is hoped the project would also help Tripura become a gateway of Trans-Asian railway network. Terming this day as historic, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the introduction of broad gauge rail service is a result of ceaseless united struggle of the people of Tripura for 60 long years. Certainly, today is the day to rejoice. But we have no reason to be satisfied until this train is not extended up to Subroom, the southern point of the state. Sarkar said the people of Tripura had the opportunity to avail rail service during the pre-independence days. But after partition of the country, the entire rail track had fallen inside Bangladesh which territorially surrounded Tripura from three sides. Tripura got landlocked having only corridor through Assam as a link with the mainland. Communist MPs Dasaratha Deb, Biren Datta and Bangshi Thakur first raised the demand for rail in Tripura in Parliament in 1952. When repeatedly pressed for rail in Parliament, the then Nehru government would put ridiculous plea that in absence of industry in Tripura, rail would not be profitable. On the other hand, when demanded for industry, they would say, without rail, industry would not be feasible, he said. Describing indifferent attitude of the then Congress-led central government towards the legitimate demands of the state, Sarkar said the Centre had to bow down to demand of the struggling people of Tripura to accord 30-member Assembly in 1971. Communist members of that Assembly raised demand for rail in the state, but that demand failed to evoke any positive response from the ruling parties. In 1978, the Left front assumed office with massive popular mandate. The Left Front government itself became a part of this movement for rail, industry and development of road communication. Tripura Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding extension of rail in the state. An all-party Assembly delegation had gone to Delhi to press these demands before the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister. Though the delegation could meet both the ministers with much trouble, they hardly uttered any single word positive or negative about our demand. We had no other alternative but to take to the streets to realise our demands, Sarkar said and added: In 1986, 230 youths and students marched to Delhi (Manik Sarkar was one of the participants in that march). The marchers campaigned on the issues in their entire route of travel. But after reaching Delhi, the marchers had faced difficulties to get appointment of the Prime Minister. Only after the intervention of the then MP Gita Mukharjee, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi spared five minutes to met the delegation. Only utterance he made to us was ‘Dhyen Denge’ (Will look into it). But he did nothing during his tenure. Only in 1996, the Deve Gowda government had given sanction to Agartala Rail project which took 20 years to be completed, Sarkar said. A part of our demands has been realised. Our struggle for rail does not end here, Sarkar asserted. We must carry on our struggle till rail is not extended up to Subroom. The project is under progress. We demand this scheme must be completed within stipulated timeframe. Frequency of ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ must be increased. Agartala-Kolkata fast train must be introduced and a new Rail Division may be raised in Agartala. These are the demands of the people, the chief minister said. In view of the condition of national highway in Assam which is causing serious disruption in transportation of essential goods, including fuel and cooking gas, to Tripura, Railways may help us ease out the present crisis. Bangladesh Railway Minister Mujibul Hoque conveyed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s greeting to the people of India, especially Tripura, for their invaluable fraternity and assistance in liberation struggle of Bangladesh in 1971. Hoque said both the countries are striving for development. Neighbourly friendship and mutual cooperation are necessary to accomplish development. The Agartala-Akhaura rail project would help deepen friendship between the two countries, he said. Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, in his address, assured the people of the state that the Centre would actively consider the other demands of the state’s people and would ensure speedy implementation of the Agartala-Subroom and Agartala-Akhaura projects. He also assured introduction of Agartala-Kolkata train service shortly and informed that he would see how far rail may help to mitigate the present fuel crisis in the state. (END)