NEW DELHI / AGARTALA, Jan 20 (TIWN): Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu unveiled Mission 41k aimed at saving Rs 41,000 crore in the next decade in the rail network's energy costs. Under the mission, all electrification works done in the last decade would be doubled and this would change the energy mix of the railways, which has set a target of 1,000 MW of solar power and 200 MW of wind energy, which will be implemented in Northeast zone too. But what surprises is that evenafter telling again and again, the Tripura Govt didn’t show any interest to boost Railway business. Freight trains are running in total losses and the situation has been worsen with the attitude of Tripura Govt.

Although the Union Minister Suresh Prabhu himself asked the Tripura Govt to begin bamboo export via BG line, but all in vain. However, the attitude of the State Govt couldn’t stop the Modi blessing to shower in Tripura. Rather one after one inauguration of Railway services have been witnessed.

Tripura being considered as the Northeastern state has failed to implement own finance commission as its Govt lacks intension to invest anything for the state and to generate revenue from its own business. Manik Sarkar although cries for the revenue which is according to him is taking away by the “Central Govt”, has no intention to set up a finance commission in Tripura. Even though increasing Tripura’s connectivity potentiality Union Railway Minister told Tripura govt. to use its greenery as state’s potentiality which can be exported via railways, but not a single bamboo or such products have been exported from Tripura. Import business is in full swing but in export Tripura is just a Big-Zero.

However,  to come out of the losses the Railway Dept. has decided to decrease the cost amount in various sectors including new technologies.
"To implement this comprehensive strategy with the participation of various stakeholders, we shall take advantage of regulatory frameworks, look at new technologies," Prabhu said.

According to the railways, about 50 per cent tracks are electrified as of now, which contributes to keeping the energy bill low and reducing the carbon footprint. This will be soon implemented in Northeast too, which may help to increase the budget in going further.

The ministry wants to take electrification to 90 per cent in the next few years "through Mission Electrification with an aim to reduce dependence on imported fuel, change energy mix, and rationalise the cost of energy".