Agartala, August 14, 2025: Tripura’s Belonia and Jolaibari railway stations under south district witnessed moments of joy and pride on Thursday as the Kanchenjunga Express finally made its long-awaited stoppages at both stations fulfilling a year-old demand of the local people. The train arrived at Belonia Railway Station at 6:45 am on its way to Sealdah, greeted with cheers, applause and the sound of a live band.
The event at Belonia drew a large crowd from across the southern district. Among the dignitaries present were Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharya, Cooperative Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, South Tripura Zilla Parishad Sabhadipati Dipak Datta, MLAs Swapna Majumdar, Dipankar Sen and Ashok Mitra, Belonia Municipal Council Chairman Nikhil Chandra Gope, District Magistrate Mohammad Sajad P and Badarpur Railway Area Manager Birendra Meena. Waving the green flag, the guests officially marked the train’s new journey from Belonia.
Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, whose constituency includes Jolaibari expressed deep satisfaction over the development. “This is not just a stoppage; it is the fulfillment of a long-standing dream of the people of Jolaibari. Better connectivity means better opportunities,” he said.
Previously, the Kanchenjunga Express bypassed Jolaibari, causing hardships for residents who needed to travel long distances. Following Minister Noatia’s appeal to the Union Railway Minister, the stoppage was approved and came into effect from Thursday.
A separate celebratory program was also held at Jolaibari Railway Station attended by Minister Noatia, Jolaibari Block Panchayat Samiti Chairman Tapas Datta, Santirbazar SDM Manoj Saha and local leaders. “I thank the Union Railway Minister, MP Biplab Kumar Deb, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha for making this possible,” the Minister said, as the Kanchenjunga Express was ceremonially welcomed at Jolaibari.
Excitement was palpable as locals described the moment as “a new chapter in the region’s connectivity and development.”
