AGARTALA, April 29 (TIWN): As the days are passing by the hope for beginning of the BG passenger train service from Tripura by April now stands as a distant dream for the people of the state. `

Although the authority claims that there are possibilities to run train by the end of this month’s but the latest trends of work at Agartala railway station shows that there are hardly any chances to toll train by end of April.

No doubt the Railway Ministry has already sent sanction letter for plying goods train from this month up to Jirania, and the state asked the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to take steps for unloading foodgrains in the Jirania station but uncertainty still looms large over the commencement of the BG passenger train in the state.

 It is absolutely clear that Modi Gov't is keen to connect the entire North-East with the rest of India by BG rail link. But unless the public amenities are available in all possible stations especially in Tripura, NFR can't start train services.

Signal system is yet too weak for the beginning of the BG passenger train service.

It is to be mentioned here that railway signalling is a system used to direct railway traffic and keep trains clear of each other at all times. Trains move on fixed rails, making them uniquely susceptible to collision. This susceptibility is exacerbated by the enormous weight and inertia of a train, which make it difficult to quickly stop when encountering an obstacle.

It is to be mentioned here that there is a big difference in running a goods train and passenger trains. Before starting passenger trains 100% assurance of public facilities likes drinking water , toilets and similar other things. We are in touch with the Railway Board on a regular basis.

The engineering cell working in Badarpur-Agartala section is looking after all these things.

Although the ministry has also agreed to start passenger trains from Agartala to Silchar from April; but hardly there is any possibility for the commencement of the BG train.

Agartala will find a place in the railway map. Earlier in the first phase, 220-km-long gauge conversion was completed on the Lumding-Silchar route. In the second phase, the long Badarpur-Agartala section is converted.

With the introduction of the BG facility, one could return from Guwahati to Agartala, capital town of the landlocked State –Tripura in a journey spanning around eight hours and if things fall in place, the ongoing work of BG conversion work from Lumding to Agartala via Badarpur would be completed shortly and the trial run will also carried out smoothly.