Guwahati: Congress leader and Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday presented a detailed memorandum to Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, outlining a series of demands aimed at significantly improving rail connectivity across the Northeast.
Gogoi expressed deep concern over the pressing issues affecting railway infrastructure and services in Assam and the broader Northeast region. Despite the region’s vast potential, he emphasised that it remains severely underserved in terms of railway connectivity.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the Jorhat MP stressed the need for prioritizing the development of railway infrastructure to drive economic growth and enhance connectivity in the Northeast. “Train routes to and from the Northeast, India’s farthest region, are excessively long with numerous stops, significantly increasing travel time. To expedite journeys, routes need rationalization, and priority should be given to Northeast-bound trains,” Gogoi noted in the memorandum.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Gogoi argued that the region’s unique geographical, topographical, and developmental challenges warrant the establishment of a dedicated railway zone. “The Northeast is a vast region with distinct geographical, climatic, and socio-economic conditions. It comprises eight states, each with specific railway needs,” he pointed out.
Gogoi further proposed that the areas under the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Katihar be excluded from the NFR Zone, suggesting that the NFR Zone should start after NJP Station onwards to Guwahati. He also called for local recruitment to fill vacancies within the NFR Zone, which would provide better job opportunities for the youth in these areas.
To address immediate challenges, Gogoi urged the Railway Board to expedite several key projects in the region, including the Sibsagar-Jorhat Line, Salona-Khumtai Line, New Bypass Rail Line at Mariani, Tezpur-Silghat Line, New Line from Dangori to Saikhowaghat, and the new BG line connecting Dibrugarh with Kanubari in Arunachal Pradesh.
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In response, Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha assured Gogoi that the demands outlined in the memorandum would be given serious consideration.
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