In an attempt to redefine the transportation system of the north-eastern states of the country, Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain has flagged off the first Rajdhani express train for Tripura from Agartala Railway station.
Thousands flocked to see the inaugural ceremony in Agartala Railway station which was also attended by Governor Tathagata Roy.
The move will benefit the residents of Agartala for whom travelling to far off places has always been a costly affair considering the landlocked terrain of the region.
"I work here and the inauguration of Rajdhani came as a great relief for those who work here and especially to students who are pursuing their studies in other states of the country and also for the patients who often travel to Delhi for treatment" said S.S. Singh, an employee of the Agartala Railway Station to ANI.
The train will run once a week starting every Friday and covering a distance of 2,413 kms from Agartala to Anand Vihar within a span of 40 hours.
"I am going to Kanpur from Agartala and this train service will be a great help for people. Earlier, it was not possible to cover long distance by bus. This is a big relief from the air ticket crisis as many people could not afford it," said Swapan Saha, a resident of Agartala, to ANI.
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The minister said in his inauguration speech that he has personally intervened in the matter to get the shortest railway line for the Agartala-Delhi route of Rajdhani express.
"Within the past three years, with the formation of the BJP government, the north eastern region has got immense importance and the work to connect the states with BG line is on full swing. Work in the Nagaland and Imphal railway line has also begun. I hope that all the capitals of the region are connected by BG line by the end of 2019," said the Union Minister to ANI.
"A special railway line to Bangladesh and a 114 kilometre long major line connecting Agartala and Saboom has also begun" he added.
"I would like to congratulate the engineers and staff members who were associated with this project and thus making it a huge success" said Governor Tathagata Roy who as an engineer in the Indian Railways, prior to his foray into politics.
The introduction of Rajdhani express in the region will not only improve the connectivity of the region but will also change its socio-economic status within the country.