AGARTALA, May 8 - Tripura Government has urged the Centre to link the State�s rail network with Myanmar to access the opportunity of Trans-Asian Network, official sources said here today.
In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu on April 29, State Transport Minister Manik Dey said there is an opportunity to connect Tripura with the Trans-Asian Network.
According to the letter, the distance between Tripura (Jawaharnagar, district headquarters of Dhalai) and Myanmar is only 257 km if railway track is laid through Mizoram.
�Once the connectivity is established with Myanmar, the State will get a chance to connect with other countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia�, he pointed out in the letter.
Confirming the letters, Dey said he urged two Union Ministers to look into the matter that could change the face of Tripura if the Trans-Asian Network is accessed.
On the Akhaura-Agartala railway extension project, Dey told the media that the Centre has already sanctioned Rs 98 crore for taking up land acquisition process. �Once the money is released, the State Government will push land acquisition process for the project�, he said.
On the BG train service, Dey said daily passenger train has already been introduced in between Silchar and Agartala. �Full-fledged train service will be flagged only after the Assembly election process in Assam ends�, he said.
