Tripura: Rs 40 crore for security of rly workers

Agartala, Feb 14: The Tripura government has spent Rs 40 crores for providing necessary security to railway line construction workers from Manu to Agartala.

Speaking to newspersons here last night, Transport Minister Manik Dey said there were no complaints from the railway authorities, relating to land acquisition or for providing necessary security to railway workers engaged in extension of lines.

Mr Dey said the railway authorities have kept security in their focus and arranged all kinds of possible security measures for the smooth running of railway works in the state.

Every month, a review meeting is held under the leadership of the State Transport Secretary regarding the progress in railway line extension work and no complaints in regard to delay in land acquisition for rail line or security was lodged so far, Mr Dey added.

The work is proceeding smoothly and will start operating within his year, Mr Manik Dey said.

Reacting to a report by a local daily yesterday, he said rail lines will touch the capital city within this year as scheduled.

The Railway Ahutorities recently called a tender to convert metre gauge line into broad gauge from Baruigram in Asom's Karimganj to Kumarghat in Tripura's North district. Once it was completed, the work for converting the metre guage up to Agartala will be simpler, Mr Dey said, quoting Railway officials.

UNI