Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today urged Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to include double tracking of lines from Guwahati to Tinsukia for better, safer and faster links with the rest of the country in the forthcoming Railway Budget 2016-17.
Double tracking of lines from Guwahati to Tinsukia and expediting the ongoing double tracking of the stretch between New Bongaigaon and Kamakhya (Guwahati) are critical for growth and development of Assam and the region as a whole, Gogoi said in a letter to the Railway Minister.
He also pointed out the need for introduction of superfast daily express trains from Dibrugarh/Guwahati to Mumbai/Pune in the West, Vellore/Chennai/Bangalore/ Thiruvanantapuram/Kochi in the South and Amritsar/Jammu in the North.
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"Moreover, a Shatabdi Express from Silchar to Guwahati and a Rajdhani Express from Silchar to New Delhi are required to be introduced to cater to the needs of the people of Barak Valley. The North East Express which originates from Guwahati may be extended to Silchar," he said in the letter.
Gogoi requested Prabhu to enhance the speed of trains which originate from Tinsukia/Dibrugarh and travel across the eastern and southern parts of the country.
He also called for adequate security arrangement in all trains running from Assam to avert untoward incidents.
Gogoi requested Prabhu to expedite the construction work of the much-delayed Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge.
He also appealed for a separate zone for the North Eastern Frontier Railways "as it would enable Indian Railways to respond to the problems and requirements of the North East better".
