People of southern Assam's multi-ethnic Barak valley bordering Bangladesh had a key role in the Independence movement of India. But it took 69 years since Independence to link the land-locked region that not only has three districts of Assam but is also the gateway by road to Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur, to get its first direct trains to the national capital.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Saturday flagged off the weekly Silchar-New Delhi Poorvottar Sampark Kranti special express at a colourful ceremony at Silchar railway station in Cachar district of Southern Assam bordering Bangladesh. Prabhu declared that by 2020, all the state capitals of Northeast will have direct rail connectivity to New Delhi.

Flagging off the much-awaited Silchar-New Delhi Poorvottar Sampark Kranti weekly special train from the Silchar Railway station, Prabhu said that besides Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, Manipur will be connected in the broad guage railway circuit within 2017-2019. Also, Aizwal will be connected in the same period, the minister added.

"Railways ministry will take huge efforts to extend rail routes to Kohima, Shillong and Gangtok within 2020. North East has the capacity to contribute significantly to the nation's development. But the region and people living in the states here need better connectivity to stay connected with the rest of India. It is a historic day for the people of Barak Valley who have long been waiting for better connectivity. We must turn our promises into performance.

All the state capitals of North East will be connected via railways by 2020" Prabhu said while addressing a huge gathering who had turned up to see the inauguration of the maiden direct train service between Southern Assam and New Delhi.

Southern Assam is a key bastion for the BJP in the ensuing Assam assembly polls. The timing of the new train service is thus very crucial.

Prabhu also flagged off two Broad gauge freight trains – one to run between Badarpur in Southern Assam to Jirania in Tripura and Badarpur to Jiribam in Manipur. Prabhu also declared that Silchar- Agartala inter-city express and passenger trains, Silchar-Guwahati and Silchar-Tinsukia train services will be started within April 14 next.

The minister said that soon Silchar will have direct trains to Mumbai and Chennai.