Over the last several years connectivity in the state has improved a lot. This improvement has not been experienced not just physically but the mental barrier has reduced a lot. The state has got broad gauge line and very soon electricity-operated lines will be in place. Chief secretary

J.K. Sinha said this today while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Connecting Tripura: From Land- locked to Land Linked”. As the chief guest and inaugurator of the seminar chief secretary said, not only that but various facilities in railway sector are being added up. Three rail stations of Tripura are among the rail stations selected across the country for upgradation to equip them with world class facilities. Very soon state government is going to be paperless which is a very happy realization. The data centre being set up will be in no way less than any other good data centre. He talked about the development in air connectivity as well but said, we should not be complacent with that. We should look beyond the state and work for regional connectivity and thrust our economic activities in the long run. Efforts should be there to utilize the limited resources for the benefit of all.

Uttam Kumar Chakma, secretary of transport department delivered a theme-based speech. He highlighted the past, present and future of communication facilities of the state. He said, the Internet Gateway set up in the state as per the Act East Policy of the Government of India, is the third Internet Gateway in the country, only after Mumbai, and Chennai. At present ten express trains are facilitating rail connectivity between Tripura and other parts of the country. A model rail yard has been constructed at Nischintapur as part of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link. A similar rail yard is being constructed at Sabroom as well. Recently Udaipur, Dharmanagar and Kumarghat rail stations have been declared as Amrit Bharat stations wherein world class facilities will be provided. For this more than Rs. 96 crore will be spent.

The work of Agartala-Akhaura rail link is nearing completion and many new lines and services are in process. Approval for running flights on the Agartala-Chittagong route has been given to Spice Jet airline and for this purpose the state government has consented to give a viability gap fund of Rs. 15 crore. Work on the Sonamura-Daudkandi waterways and upgrdation of national highways is under process.

Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Arif Mohammed was present there as a special guest. In view of the 52-year-old Indo-Bangla friendly relation he spoke in favour of developing regional cooperation. He focused on building regional cooperation in the field of politics, trade and commerce and culture on different platforms. He was also hopeful that Tripura may turn into a trade hub considering its strategic geographical location. He also stressed on sharing various resources in addition to infrastructure in the region, especially rivers of the region. That will be conducive for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Among others present in the seminar organized jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and School of Logistics, Communication and Waterways were officials of railways, PWD, faculties and students of different universities. Welcome address was given by Dr. Palin Khudongbam, co-chairman of CII NEC and vote of thanks was given by the head of School of Logistics, Communication and Waterways Susanta Dutta.