MALIGAON, May 5 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched a dedicated Parcel Cargo Express Train (PCET) service between Agartala in Tripura and Sanehwal in Punjab to boost trade and support local economies in the Northeast.
The train, bearing numbers 00832 and 00833, is scheduled to operate twice a month, with a total of 144 round trips planned over a six-year period. Initially consisting of 15 parcel vans and one brake van, the service is expected to expand to 20 parcel vans after six months in response to growing demand.
The service aims to provide efficient transportation of key commodities such as rubber and pineapples from Agartala to wider markets across the country. NFR said the PCET would reduce transit time and offer a reliable logistics solution for traders and farmers in the region.
AVG Logistics Ltd. has been awarded the lease to operate the service following a competitive bidding process. The total contract value is estimated at Rs. 68.95 crore.
NFR stated that the initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening the region's supply chain infrastructure and encourages broader participation in rail-based freight transport.
“This marks a major step towards encouraging more traders of the region to participate with the most cost-efficient freight transportation system of the nation,” the railway zone said.
