While Agartala got its DEMU trains Silchar waits; Why so? "Due to lobbying" says Amaresh Roy

By barakbulletin On October 16, 2019 - 4:22 am

After waiting for more than two-decades, in 2015, Barak Valley got broad gauge rail connectivity with the completion of Silchar-Lumding BG conversion. While train services through the valley has undeniably increased during these last five years but passengers are left with very narrow choices when it comes for local transit.

Project for meter gauge to broad gauge conversion of Silchar Lumding section was sanctioned in early 90s but was stuck for about two decades. When the new government came in power in 2014, they decided not to announce any new railway projects across the nation and to accelerate the already announced ones. Silchar-Lumding project was one such that the Narendra Modi government said it wants to complete soon and it took them just six months.

Post that, many trains were announced but they are certainly not enough to cater to the demands of such a vast population of the valley. Silchar station now hosts a total of 11 trains whereas Agartala trains make a halt at Karimganj and Badarpur stations giving the masses a facility of boarding some premium trains.

Barak Bulletin has recently accessed some documents which show that NF Railways, in the month of February this year, in one of its closed-door meeting, decided to replace all the passenger trains of Barak Valley and Tripura with DEMU trains.

Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU), is a multiple-unit train powered by the onboard diesel engines. The DEMU train does not require a separate engine as the engines are incorporated into one of the carriages. As the DEMU train can operate in both directions it also does not require any reversal at the terminal stations. DEMU trains are also very highly advantageous for local connectivity.

Surprisingly, DEMU service was recently launched in Tripura, bypassing the Barak Valley, whereas the decision to provide the DEMUs for both the states was taken at the same meeting. According to the minutes of that meeting, seven conventional passenger trains of Barak Valley and three passengers trains of Agartala was supposed to be replaced by DEMU. While the latter has already been done, an announcement for the former is still awaited.

On asking the reason behind this delay, BJP leader from Karimganj and also a member of the Railway Passengers Amenities Committee, Amaresh Roy, in a telephonic conversation with Barak Bulletin said that certain sections are “lobbying” to ensure that the trains are diverted towards other parts of the state and made. “A lobby wants to run the train in Tinsukia side, but we have registered our strong opposition to it as there are already many express and premium trains running in that section. In Barak Valley most of the routes remain idle and running DEMU trains will prove to be highly effective,” said Amresh Roy, adding that DEMU trains will be a boon for local connectivity.

“If I go from Silchar to Karimganj by bus, it will take a minimum of 60 rupees whereas the same distance can be travelled in just 15 to 20 rupees with more comfort by the DEMU trains. Therefore we are creating pressure on railway authorities to introduce the approved trains as early as possible. Recently, I also spoke with DPM of railways regarding the issue and he assured me to look into the matter. I am very hopeful that Barak Valley will be soon brought under DEMU service,” Roy mentioned.

Speaking more about rail infrastructure in Barak Valley, Roy said there is a strong demand for an overnight train between Bairabi and Guwahati and he has forwarded the demand to railway authorities for action. “At this present situation, it’s more important to increase the frequency of Silchar-Guwahati Express from triweekly to daily and augmentation of three more coaches in Silchar Guwahati fast passenger train. Hope railway will accept this public demand,” he added.