Northeast to get better rail connectivity

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The central government has been laying considerable emphasis on improving connectivity in the land-locked northeast region.

Giving an impetus to better rail connectivity in the Northeast region, Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda announced seven new trains while presenting the annual railway budget in the Parliament.

A total of Rs 5,116 crores has also been earmarked to speed up execution of several projects in the regions in the current fiscal year, marking a jump of over 54 per cent from the last year.

The minister is hopeful that these measures will give a boost to connectivity in the region.

" With higher allocations and by close monitoring of works in this region, I hope that Dudhnoi-Mendipathar New Line; Lumding-Badarpur-Silchar Gauge Conversion; sections will soon get commissioned. These measures will also give a boost to the State capital connectivity projects in the region," said Gowda.

Two daily intercity express trains from Guwahati to Naharlagun and Guwahati to Murkongselek will be introduced in the current financial year.

A premium train-Kamakhya-Bangalore Premium express, an AC weekly express train between Naharlagun and New Delhi and two daily passenger trains from Guwahati to Mendipathar and Rangapara North to Rangiya have also been announced.

Kamakhya in Assam will also be connected with Katra in Jammu Kashmir with a weekly express train.

There are 23 projects underway in the north-east, of which 11 are national projects.

People hope that the promises will be delivered.

"It's good if they start more trains because if there are trains to the interior parts then everyone will be connected. It will be good for us," said Rimjhim, a local.

"This railway which will connect Manipur with the rest of India is going to be a major linkage with south-east and with Europe. Because the way things are happening, this trans-national highway, including railways, it is something to connect east and south-east Asia with Europe," said Amar Yumnam, an expert.