Agartala, June 30
In a major relief to residents of Tripura, the prolonged fuel crisis in the state has started to ease following the reopening of the Agartala-Guwahati railway line. Officials from the transport department confirmed on Monday that a fuel-laden wagon has successfully reached the state capital, bringing much-needed supplies after weeks of shortage.
The resumption of railway services follows a period of severe disruption caused by landslides in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section. Continuous heavy rains had triggered massive landslips, damaging crucial portions of the track between KM 108/6-8 in the Jatinga Lumpur-New Haflong section. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) undertook extensive repair work in the affected areas, and with the damaged stretch now restored, normal train movement has resumed.
Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury had earlier assured the public that while there was a temporary disruption in fuel supply, the state maintained sufficient stocks of food grains and other essential commodities. Addressing media on Monday, the minister confirmed that the arrival of fuel wagons and other goods trains carrying essential items would help normalize the situation in the coming days.
“Last night, the first fuel wagon arrived safely, and more are on their way. There are no longer any shortages of essential commodities, including food grains, and residents can be assured of stable supply lines from now on,”
Chowdhury said.
During the railway disruption, Tripura faced difficulties in maintaining regular fuel supply, leading to long queues at petrol pumps and temporary rationing measures. The crisis had sparked concerns among residents and transporters, with authorities urging the public not to panic and to conserve fuel wherever possible.
Officials from the transport department stated that alongside fuel, trains carrying food grains and other essential goods have also begun arriving in the state. This has allowed the government to declare that Tripura is now “free from shortages” and fully equipped to meet the needs of the public.
The Lumding-Badarpur hill section, notorious for landslides during the monsoon season, forms a vital link connecting Tripura and other northeastern states with the rest of India. The recent damage caused widespread disruption not only in Tripura but also in Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of southern Assam, which depend on the route for essential supplies.
Northeast Frontier Railway authorities said that engineering teams worked round-the-clock over several days to clear debris and repair tracks, ensuring safety before reopening the section for freight movement. Passenger services are also expected to gradually resume along the route in the coming days as inspections continue.
Local traders and transport associations have welcomed the restoration of services, noting that the flow of goods will help stabilize prices of fuel and other daily essentials, which had seen a temporary spike during the crisis period.
Residents in Agartala and other towns reported visible improvement at petrol pumps on Monday, with fuel supply returning to normal and queues reducing significantly. Transport operators also expressed relief, saying they expect commercial and public transportation services to return to normal schedules soon.
The state government has thanked the railway authorities and workers who carried out the urgent repair works, highlighting the importance of the Agartala-Guwahati railway link as Tripura’s lifeline. Chowdhury also called upon citizens to remain patient as full-scale services are gradually restored.
With monsoon season continuing, authorities have urged caution and assured that they are monitoring vulnerable stretches along the railway line to prevent further disruptions. The government has also promised continued coordination with the NFR and central agencies to ensure seamless flow of essential goods into Tripura.
As the situation improves, the administration is also planning to bolster stockpiles of fuel and food grains to prevent similar crises in the future, particularly during the challenging monsoon months.
