Maligaon, July 18: During the last 6 years, Rs 27,655 crore of Capital Investment was made by Indian Railways in North East Projects which is 160% more than the capital investment of Rs 10,610 made during 2009-14.
The major projects that were completed during the last 6 years are, Bogibeel Rail cum Road Bridge: 5 km Bogibeel Rail cum Road Bridge across river Brahmaputra commissioned and dedicated to the Nation by Prime Minister in December 2018.
The bridge has brought North and South Assam closer together like never before by shortening rail travel distance between Naharlagun (Itanagar) and Dibrugarh by more than 700 km, thereby reducing travelling time from 24 to 5 hours. The Road distance between Dibrugarh and Itanagar also reduced by more than 100 km.
The Barak Valley of Assam connected with Broad Gauge (BG) rail network in Nov’2015 with completion of Gauge conversion work of Lumding – Silchar section
The 503 Km Gauge Conversion project between Rangiya – Murkongselek passing through the north bank of Brahmaputra fully completed and commissioned for Train services on 10.08.2015
The four States connected with Broad Gauge rail network are Meghalaya in November 2014 with 20 Km long new line from Dudhnoi to Mendipather. Manipur in May’2016 connected at Jiribam for Passenger Services.
Mizoram in May’2016 connected at Bhairabi for Passenger Services, Tripura in May’2016 and the Capital City of Arunanchal Pradesh connected with New Delhi through direct train service on 20.02.2015.
Connectivity to the North Eastern States, the Entire Rail network of North-eastern States converted to Broad Gauge. A total of 972 Kms converted in three years 2014-17.All North-eastern States except Sikkim connected by Rail network; Sikkim to be connected by December 2022.
While Capitals of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh are already connected, others state Capitals will be connected as per the targets decided, that Manipur Imphal from Jribam to Imphal 111 km will be completed by March 2022, Mozoram Aizawl that from Bhairabi to Sairang 51 km will be completed by March 2023.
Nagaland Kohima from Dimapur to Kohima 82 km will be completed by 2023, Meghalaya Shillong from Teteliya to Byrnihat 22 km will be completed by march 2022 and Sikkim Gangtok from Sivok to Rangpo 44 km will be completed by Decmember 2022.
The major thrust given in developing Rail infrastructure in the North East has provided direct connectivity of the North Eastern states to the rest of India and it will have a great impact on the socio-economic development of the region.
