Maligaon, Feb 21: Mr Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways today dedicated the newly constructed double line section between Hojai – Habaipur at Hojai. He also inaugurated newly constructed station buildings and passenger amenities at Hojai, Lanka, Dhalphukhuri and Habaipur. Mr Shiladitya Deb, MLA of Hojai, Mr Sibu Misra, MLA of Lumding, and the official from the N F Railway were present.
The 20 km long newly-constructed Broad Gauge Double Line between Hojai and Habaipur is part of the Hojai – Lumding Doubling Project which was sanctioned in 2012-13. The revised cost of the entire project is approximately Rs. 615 crore. The new line has the potential to run passenger traffic at 100 kmph. This line will greatly help in removing traffic congestion on the section and improve punctuality of trains on the crucial Guwahati – Lumding section.
The four stations in the section which were also inaugurated today have various provisions for differently-abled persons including ramps and toilets for Divyanjans. These stations are also provided with all passenger amenities like waiting halls, foot over bridges, drinking water, covered platform and large passenger circulating areas etc.
Hojai & Lanka stations have been provided new façades (photo enclosed) made with toughened glass and aluminium composite panels giving them a modern aesthetically pleasing look. It may be mentioned here that construction of double line is under progress for the entire stretch from Digaru to Lumding (147 km).
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajen Gohain said that work of doubling of Digaru to Hojai and from Habaipur to Lumding is going on in full swing and would be completed by the end of March 2020. Since 2014, Rs 28905 Cr has been allocated for construction projects which is about twice the fund of Rs 12660 Cr allocated during 2009 to 2014.
He also mentioned that apart from commissioning of Bogibeel Bridge, 6 New Line projects, 3 Gauge Conversion Projects and 3 Doubling Projects totalling 1299 km of track that has been commissioned in NE since 2014.
Three New lines, 4 Doubling projects worth Rs. 16312 crore have been sanctioned since 2014. 43 projects totaling Rs 98000 Crore are under progress, of which 25 are new lines. 11 of these are national projects. Out of these 11 national projects 3 have so far been completed. 40 New train services have been introduced in Northeast since May 2014.
