Residents of South Tripura received a major travel boost this week as the iconic New Kanchanjunga Express began trial halts at Jolaibari and Belonia stations, a long-standing demand from passengers in the region. The move, introduced on an experimental basis, is expected to improve travel convenience for students, traders, elderly commuters, and others needing direct rail access to Kolkata.
West Tripura MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb publicly thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the stops. In a social media post, Deb said, “This decision will benefit a large section of our people. It will save time, reduce travel fatigue, and strengthen the economic and social linkages between Tripura and West Bengal.”
The New Kanchanjunga Express currently links Tripura’s southernmost subdivision, Sabroom, to Sealdah in Kolkata, serving as a crucial lifeline for long-distance travellers. Until now, passengers from Jolaibari and Belonia had to travel to other stations to board the express service, often incurring extra costs and delays.
Railway officials confirmed that the halts are on a trial basis and will be monitored for passenger response before being made permanent. “If the demand is sustained and operational feasibility remains positive, these stops could become regular features,” one official said.
The announcement comes amid broader railway expansion efforts across the Northeast. In a major milestone, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on May 1 completed its first-ever trial run to Sairang, near Aizawl, marking Mizoram’s entry into the select group of northeastern states whose capitals are connected to the national rail network.
According to NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the historic run was overseen by Arun Kumar Chaudhary, General Manager (Construction), along with senior railway engineers. The trial is seen as a breakthrough for Mizoram’s transport infrastructure, reducing reliance on road travel through hilly terrain.
Meanwhile, under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, redevelopment works are in progress at 60 railway stations across the Northeast, including 50 in Assam, to modernise facilities, improve passenger amenities, and strengthen regional connectivity.
