NITI Aayog could pitch for new programme to link remote areas by railways

To be modelled along the lines of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

The Central government is mulling a separate scheme or programme for giving added impetus to laying new railway lines in hilly, remote and unconnected habitations. The scheme would be designed along the lines of the highly successful Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Officials said that the Centre’s main think-tank, the NITI Aayog, is expected to suggest separating the task of laying railway tracks and connecting remote habitations through the rail network as an entirely different programme outside the current allocations. This would be done in order to give the initiative added focus and to ensure completion of these projects,