Silchar-New Delhi Poorvottor Sampark Kranti Express flagged off

In a major step towards connecting the north east with the national capital, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu recently flagged off a direct train from Assam's Silchar to New Delhi

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The train is expected to provide better connectivity and transport goods and services between the two regions.

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Prabhu flagged off Poorvottor Sampark Kranti Express from Assam's Silchar in a well attended ceremony.

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The train will give an easy access to people in the region to the national capital.

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The weekly Poorvottor Sampark Kranti Express will cover a distance of 2297 km in a 45-hour-long journey.

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The special train has 4 AC three tier coaches, 4 sleeper class, 4 general bogies and two seating cum luggage coaches.

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"It is a very proud moment that today we have flagged off the direct train from Silchar to New Delhi. Though Assam had rail connectivity till Guwahati, it takes a long time to connect to the other seven states. Therefore, it is necessary that we do this on a priority basis as it is already very late. If there will be no connectivity, how will our farmers get easy access to market. Therefore, it is for the railways to provide them better connectivity.," Prabhu said.

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Two goods trains were also inaugurated by the Railway Minister from southern Assam's Badarpur station to Jirania in Tripura and Jiribam in Manipur's East Imphal district.

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Railway Minister stressed on connecting the northeast with the rest of India and informed that by April this year four more trains will be introduced from Silchar.

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"Today, the train service has started but before 14th April we will try to start one passenger and express train from Silchar to Agartala. Also, one intercity express will also be started between Silchar and Guwahati. The trains will also run from Silchar to Agartala in Tripura, Tinsukia in Assam, Mumbai and Chennai," he added.

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Several of the rail projects were struck in the region due to prolonged insurgency.

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In May last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi allocated Rs 28,000 crore for the establishment of 14 new railway lines in the Northeast.

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Government of India's renewed efforts towards railway infrastructure, aims at developing the northeast and tap its huge potential.