Agartala/Guwahati, July 6: The Northeast's first Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train entered commercial service on Monday, marking a significant milestone in railway modernisation and sustainable transportation in the region. The electric train connects Agartala in Tripura with Karimganj in southern Assam, offering faster, cleaner and more efficient rail connectivity.
According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the Agartala-Karimganj MEMU service will operate six days a week, except Sundays, benefiting daily commuters, students, office-goers, traders and tourists travelling between the two neighbouring states.
The service was flagged off by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha from Agartala Railway Station on Saturday. Describing the launch as a historic moment for the state, Saha said the rapid expansion of railway infrastructure in the Northeast has been made possible under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy. He also announced that the state government is working towards developing a double railway track network in the coming years and is making efforts to introduce the high-speed Vande Bharat Express to Tripura.
Recalling the state's railway journey, the Chief Minister said rail services first reached Tripura in 1964, but expansion remained slow for decades. He credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's decision to declare railway expansion in the Northeast a national project, leading to the extension of rail connectivity from Dharmanagar to Kumarghat in 1990 and subsequently to Agartala in 2008.
Saha said Tripura now has nearly 270 kilometres of railway tracks, with several long-distance trains connecting the state to different parts of the country. He added that the Centre is supporting the modernisation of railway infrastructure, including upgrades to Agartala Railway Station and improved passenger safety measures.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the 12-coach electric MEMU train has a carrying capacity of around 3,600 passengers and is equipped with modern amenities, including LED lighting, bio-toilets, CCTV surveillance, GPS-based passenger information displays and a public address system.
Officials said the energy-efficient electric train represents a major step towards sustainable transport in the Northeast. Besides reducing travel time through better acceleration and deceleration, the service is expected to strengthen economic and social ties between Tripura and Assam while supporting regional growth and improving passenger convenience.
