AGARTALA, Sept 27 (TIWN): Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu is likely to visit the state in the middle of October to lay the foundation stone for BG Conversion work and to discuss about the work process and progress.However, the passenger train (Meter Gauge) has suspended on Sunday last. The shutdown has been called due to the construction work of the 'Mega Block' for conversion of railway line from meter gauge to broad gauge. Therefore, both goods trains and Passengers trains will be stopped between Agartala Section and Badarpur.Reportedly, Transport Minister Manik Dey had requested the Union Minister to release 6- percent of fund for the land acquisition for Agartala – Akhaura rail link so that the work for the land acquisition work could be taken up immediately.After the NITI Aayog decided to elevate the corridor up to avoid land acquisition as less as possible, altogether an amount of around Rs. 96/97 crore would be required for it.Earlier, a proposal of a total amount of Rs. 302 was given to acquire 97 acres of land for Indo-Bangla Rail project.However, this initiative of ‘Mega Block’ has been taken in order to facilitate faster conversion of Railway from meter gauge to broad gauge track.

Despite the state has a buffer stock of food grains according to the government statement, in view of the filthy condition of the NH-44 road it is expected that the transportation of essential commodities and construction materials for the ongoing project works in state would be badly hit due to the shutdown of rail service.

The poor condition of the NH-44, Agartala-Assam had already created chaos and had continued for many days. Due to which several truck and vehicles were strand on the road as they were unable to cross the road because of the deplorable condition of the road.

Though an alternative road has been opened from lowerpowa, Karimganj to Dharmanagar but how long the road will remain convenience for the Travellers that the question.