Photo Courtesy: nenews
Agartala: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has begun conducting trial runs for electric train services on key routes connecting Tripura and Assam. Engineers are currently testing Electric Mainline Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains on sections linking Agartala with Dharmanagar, Sabroom, and Karimganj. These trials allow officials to monitor overhead voltage levels and assess technical performance to ensure the network is ready for safe, regular operations.
This initiative follows the successful completion of electrification across Tripura's 271-km broad-gauge rail network. Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath noted that the state's railway infrastructure has expanded significantly, evolving from the first train arriving in Dharmanagar in 1964 to the more recent international link with Bangladesh completed in 2023. Commenting on the modernization, Nath stated, "Major expansion and modernisation works on the network were completed within seven years."
Previously, a goods train hauled by an electric locomotive successfully operated between Badarpur in Assam and Jirania in Tripura. While the state currently hosts over 19 train services to major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, these have historically relied on diesel power. NFR officials confirmed that once final technical assessments and approvals are secured, they intend to formalize electric passenger services. Looking ahead, the railway is also exploring the possibility of extending Vande Bharat Express services to reach Silchar and Agartala in the near future.
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