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In a historic event for entire Northeast, o­n 8^th January, 2022, the first Janshatabdi express train connecting the state of Manipur with Tripura via Assam was flagged off by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology through video link from Railway Board. Train No. 02097/02098 Agartala – Jiribam - Agartala Janshatabdi inaugural special trains were flagged off from Agartala and Jiribam railway stations simultaneously. The inaugural programme was graced by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur through video link and Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura. Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs, Education;Pratima Bhoumik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment; Vungzagin Valte, Hon’ble Minister for Transport & GAD, Tribal Affairs & Hills Govt of Manipur;Pranajit Singha Roy, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Tourism, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Govt of Tripura and other dignitaries were also present. This service fulfils the long standing demand of people of the two states. In addition to Agartala and Jiribam from where both the up and down service was inaugurated, the event also took place at Railway Board, Delhi and CM Office, Imphal through video conferencing.

The Chairman of Railway Board and CEO Shri V. K. Tripathi while welcoming all dignitaries, briefed about the newly introduced train service. o­n this occasion, the Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb said that this train service will reduce the travel time from Agartala to Silchar (nearby Arunachal Station) and Jiribam. Hon'ble Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh expressed his gratitude to the Railway Minister for getting the approval of the new rail line project of Imphal-Moreh section. The Chief Ministers of both the states further said that the old relationship between the two states will be further strengthened after the start of this train service.

Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) said that the much-awaited train service provides a major boost to trade and tourism of the Northeast region. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his vision to work with ‘HIRA’ model (H for Highway, I for Internet, R for Railways and A for Airways) of development for the North-eastern state. Hon'ble Union Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that this train is the link connecting the culture of two states. The Imphal-Moreh rail section will be a very strategic line, due to which the relationship between India and South-East Asian countries will be very important. Efforts will be made to expedite the work of Agartala -Akhaura rail project, the Minister of Railways said.

First Janshatabdi express train from Manipur to Tripura via Arunachal station (Silchar) in Assam will connect some important and historic towns like Silchar, Badarpur, New Karimganj, Dharmanagar and Ambassa apart from Jiribam and Agartala the two terminal stations. Train journey shall cut the travel time by half as the journey time will be around 06 hours covering a distance of 300 Kms against about 12 hours or so it takes to travel by road. The schedule tri-weekly service of train No. 12097/12098 Agartala –Jiribam - Agartala Janshatabdi Express o­n Monday, Wednesday and Friday commenced w.e.f 10-01-2022 (Monday). The train departs from Agartala at 06-00 hours to reach Jiribam at 12-00 hours. In return direction, the train departs from Jiribam at 16-00 hours to reach Agartala at 22-00 hours.                                                          

This service will give an impetus to trade, tourism and transportation sector in this region including the three states. At present there is no direct train between Manipur and Tripura and o­nly o­ne train runs between Agartala and Silchar that too in the morning hours. The Janshatabdi train will now provide direct connectivity to the people of Manipur going to Tripura for Educational and Health facilities and people of Tripura also get opportunity to visit Manipur for trade, tourism etc boosting the overall economy of the region.