Tripura has completed a key milestone in its railway electrification drive with the commissioning of a 132 KV transmission line. This paves the way for electric train services, reducing costs and pollution, and preparing for Vande Bharat Express connectivity to Agartala in the near future.
Tripura has taken a significant step towards launching electric train services, with the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) commissioning a new 132 KV transmission line linking Banduar substation to the Udaipur Railway Traction Substation in Gomati district. This milestone marks a major push in the Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) mission to introduce electric locomotive-powered trains in the state.
Currently, all passenger and freight train services in Tripura run on diesel locomotives, which are costlier to operate and have a higher environmental impact. With this latest development, electric train operations from Matabari Railway Station are now one step closer to reality.
A Greener, More Efficient Future
TSECL officials highlighted that the introduction of electric trains will significantly reduce operational costs and pollution levels.
“Electrification is a transformative step for Tripura’s transport system. It will make travel faster, more affordable, and environmentally sustainable,” said Nandita Das, Additional General Manager of TSECL in Gomati district, during the inauguration ceremony.
The event saw the presence of senior TSECL officials, Northeast Frontier Railway representatives, Udaipur Deputy General Manager Ananda Sarkar, and local station authorities. Residents welcomed the news, noting that electric trains would boost convenience, comfort, tourism, and trade in the region.
Expanding the Electrification Network
The TSECL confirmed that electricity supply to the Teliamura Railway Traction Substation in Khowai district will start soon. Over time, every railway station in the state will be integrated into the electrification network, paving the way for the formal launch of electric train operations.
According to railway officials, trial runs for passenger services using electric locomotives have already been successfully conducted between Agartala and southern Assam’s Arunachal Junction in Cachar district. Several more trials will take place before regular operations commence.
Before these passenger trials, the first electric goods train successfully ran on February 6, covering the stretch between Badarpur station in southern Assam and Jirania station in Tripura, located just north of Agartala.
Towards Vande Bharat in Tripura
The electrification efforts also open the door for the high-speed Vande Bharat Express to reach Tripura. Once the infrastructure is fully operational, the service will be extended to connect Assam’s Silchar and Agartala in the coming months. This will follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of Assam’s first Vande Bharat Express in May 2023, connecting Guwahati with New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
Tripura is already linked by rail to major Indian cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Firozpur, and Patna, but the services are currently powered exclusively by diesel locomotives.
A Rs 46 Crore Project for Connectivity
The Rs 46 crore railway electrification project was launched in 2022 to connect Tripura with the national electric railway grid. Officials say the completion of the Banduar–Udaipur transmission line marks one of the final preparatory steps before electric trains become operational in the state.
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The NFR’s electrification push is part of a broader initiative to modernize rail infrastructure in the Northeast, making transport more efficient, eco-friendly, and accessible. With Tripura’s railway electrification nearing completion, the state is set to join the growing network of Indian states benefiting from cleaner and faster train travel.
