New train services provide boost for rail connectivity in North East and J&K

Union Railways Minister flags off two new trains, extends two more to remote parts of North East. Vistadome coach in Budgam-Banihal train in J&K also flagged off

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off two new trains and announced the extension of additional two trains to remote parts of North East on Thursday. A new Vistadome coach in Budgam-Banihal train in Jammu and Kashmir was also flagged off.

The new trains were flagged off between Guwahati and Dullabcherra in Assam as well as a rapid transit Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (or DEMU train) between Agartala and Sabroom in Tripura. 

Also, Guwahati-Secunderabad Express has been extended up to Silchar in Assam and the Kamakhya-Lokmanya Tilak Express, which earlier operated between Mumbai to Guwahati has been extended up to Tripura’s capital Agartala. Agartala is at a distance of 535 kms from Guwahati.

“Extension of Train No. 12514/12515 Guwahati-Secunderabad Express [weekly] up to Silchar will provide direct connectivity between Barak Valley in Silchar and Secunderabad. It will benefit people of lower Assam and areas bordering Barak Valley,” Mr. Vaishnaw said. The regular service of the train will commence from October 21 from Secunderabad.

The introduction of Train No. 15617/15618 Dullabcherra-Guwahati Tri-weekly Train will provide direct connectivity between remote area of Dullabcherra and Guwahati benefiting students, businessmen and traders of Dullabcherra, Union Railways Ministry said in a statement. 

Similarly, extension of Train No. 12519/12520 Kamakhya- Lokmanya Tilak Express (weekly) up to Agartala will be the direct train service between the capital cities of Agartala and Mumbai. “It will benefit people in the region, traders and patients in Tripura who travel to Mumbai for medical treatment purpose. The regular service of the train up to Agartala will commence from October 22 from Mumbai,” Mr. Vaishnaw stated. 

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam’s Chief Minister, “Assam is getting extension of one train to Barak valley, one train being extended to Agartala, one train is being introduced to the remote area of Dullabcherra.”