Agartala, Mar 3:The first ever train service to Agartala is all set to begin by the end of March as the Indian Railways in the region is working overtime to meet the deadline.

Tripura, which currently has only 67 kms of rail tracks, shall very soon be connected to the nation-wide rail network.

According to railway officials, the construction work of the station, the tracks and the tunnels are in a state of completion.

"We have adequate funds but the main problem we are facing is slow movement of raw material in the Assam-Agartala (NH 44) highway due to militancy and malaria. If these problems were not there then we could have achieved our target much earlier," said Pradip Dutta, Project In-charge.

Residents hope that the extension of rail connectivity further in the state would lead to industrialization and boost the economy of the region.

"Employment will soon be generated in this area because industry is the mother of all businesses," said Rajat Kumar Paul, a businessman.

As many as five of the eight new line-projects have been declared 'national projects' and the new projects would add 685 km new lines in the land-locked region.

The Central Government has earmarked funds for connecting all northeastern state capitals by rail in the next five years.

In the recently announced rail budget 2008-09 by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav funds would be provided to the rail network development in northeastern India through the Northeast Rail Development Fund. (ANI)