A Programme was held in Rail Bhawan today wherein Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated new train services after the completion of North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek and Balipara – Bhalukpong sections into broad-gauge. The programme was organized through video-conferencing between Rail Bhawan (New Delhi) and Murkongselek (Assam) and also between Rail Bhawan (New Delhi) and Bhalukpong (Arunachal Pradesh). At New Delhi side, besides the Railway Minister, Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Chairman Railway Board Shri A. K. Mital, Member Engineering, Railway Board Shri V. K. Gupta and other Railway Board Member were among those present on the occasion.

          At Murkongselek side, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and at Bhalukpong side, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State Ministry of Home Affairs were among those present on the occasion.

          Following trains were flagged off on the occasion: -

1.      15613/15614 Guwahati-Murkongselek Intercity Express (Daily)

2.      55719/55720 Dekargaon-Bhalukpong Passenger (on newly gauge-converted Ballipara-Bhalukpong section)

3.      Extension of 55429/55430 Rangiya-Rangapara North Passenger upto Dekargaon with New Nos. 55721/55722.

4.      Extension of 55613/55614 of Dekargaon-Harmuti Passenger upto Murkongselek with new No. 55813/55814

5.      Increase in frequency of 15903/15904 Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express from Weekly to Bi-weekly announced in Railway Budget 2012-13.

Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister said that it is a “Golden Day” in the history of the State of Arunachal Pradesh, as it is getting second Broad Gauge connectivity with the commissioning of Balipara – Bhalukpong gauge conversion today. Earlier this year, the State Capital Itanagar was provided connectivity with the National Capital through a direct train. I am sure this rail connectivity will bring prosperity in the lives of people of this State.

Shri Suresh Prabhu further said that alongwith this, commissioning of newly converted North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek section marks the completion of Rangiya – Murkongselek Gauge Conversion project running all along the North Bank of Brahmaputra. This will start a new era of development for the people of this region. This will also serve the defence needs of our country. This 510 Km Gauge Conversion project costing about Rs 3600 crores was sanctioned in 2002-03.  The project suffered delay mainly due to funds constraint in the past. But in 2014-15, an outlay of Rs 713 crores was provided for this line and the balance Rs 300 crores has been provided in 2015-16. The results are visible as we are today opening the entire project.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that to augment, Railway network in N.E. region, 13 new lines, 3 Gauge Conversion and 4 Doubling projects with balance fund requirement of Rs.37000 crore have been taken up. These projects on completion will augment network by 1915 km.  He pointed out that rail connectivity to North-Eastern States has been made a mission item by the new government, as we provided an all time high budget allotment of Rs 5200 crores to the projects in this region in 2014-15, which is over 50% more than 2013-14. This tempo has been maintained in 2015-16 also by providing Rs 5300 crores.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that hon’ble Prime Minister has always been emphasizing on developing infrastructure in all the 8 North-Eastern Sisters which include Sikkim.  We will continue to have best ever relationship with all the 8 Sister States.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said presently, only the capitals of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are on Broad Gauge network, and Capital of Tripura is connected with Meter Gauge. While Agartala, the Capital of Tripura is all set to be on Broad Gauge network by March, 2016, it will be our endeavour to connect the state capitals of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya by rail with the rest of the country in next 5-7 years.  For this, all of us have to work together.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Railways have been commissioning about 133 Km Broad Gauge track every year in the North Eastern region in last 4-5 years. In 2014-15, a record was made when about 450 Km of lines were commissioned. This year again, we are all set to achieve a new record of commissioning of about 550 kilometres of Broad Gauge lines in this region. The Railway Minister also informed that Bogibeel Bridge over river Brahmaputra is also progressing well and its completion in June, 2017 will change the landscape of this area.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that the Railways has been playing a major role in serving the infrastructural needs of the Northeast and will continue to contribute to the socio – economical development of this region.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railway Shri Manoj Sinha said that it has been the important priority of the Government to develop best possible infrastructure in the north-eastern States. Indian Railways is also committed to provide better railway connectivity in the region. Indian Railways has really completed these significant gauge conversion projects which have made possible flagging off of new trains today in this area.  Shri Sinha appreciated the Engineers of Indian Railways who have been accomplishing Engineering marvel in developing railway connectivity in the region.

In his message, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A. K. Mital said that the entire Metre Gauge in NE Region will get replaced with Broad Gauge by March, 2016 and all the States of NE Region, except Sikkim will have Broad Gauge connectivity in this financial year. Agartala, the capital of Tripura will come on Broad Gauge network by March, 2016, fulfilling the long cherished dream of the people of this State.

In his message, Member Engineering, Railway Board, Shri V. K. Gupta said that it is a momentous occasion when newly converted North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek and Balipara – Bhalukpong sections are being inaugurated by the Minister for Railways.  Shri Gupta mentioned that with completion of North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek section, the entire 510 Km long Rangiya – Murkongselek route along the North Bank of Brahmaputra has come on Broad Gauge. This is a significant event for a large population residing along the North Bank of Brahmaputra and the people of Arunachal Pradesh, as it will usher a new era of development in the region. He further pointed out that with the conversion of Balipara – Bhalukpong Metre Gauge line into Broad Gauge, Arunachal Pradesh has got its second Broad Gauge connectivity, apart from Naharlagun (Itanagar). Both these lines are also important from strategic point of view as they will facilitate seamless movement of troupes to safeguard our frontiers.

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