Sonowal pitches for early restoration of train services to help flood victims

Sonowal called Prabhu over phone on Tuesday morning and drew his attention towards the harrowing situation of rail passengers particularly from the North East following the snapped rail link in Katihar division and requested him to restore train services.

The Assam CM also apprised the Railways Minister of the impending development and that of shortfall of essential commodities in the region following prolonged disruption of rail traffic - both passenger and goods trains - and asked his intervention for early restoration of the damaged portion of the tracks washed away by the deluge.

Prabhu, however, assured Sonowal that the Railways with its men and materials are on the toes, day in and day out to repair the damaged rail tracks and restore train services at the earliest.

Sonowal also spoke to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to ensure smooth movement of goods laden trucks so that there is no scarcity of essential commodities in Assam and other parts of North East.

Gadkari assured the Chief Minister of all necessary measures in this regard.

Moreover, in view of the disrupted train services and following allegations that air tickets have undergone inordinate rise in fares, Sonowal also spoke to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and requested him for his initiative in maintaining ‘reasonable fare’ of flights connecting the North East part of the country. 

Later talking to newsmen at his official residence in New Delhi, Sonowal said that the entire State Government machinery is focussed on providing relief and rehabilitation to the flood affected people of the State.

He also told the mediapersons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting on Monday, asked the Chief Ministers to help the States affected by flood.

Expressing his deep gratitude to the Prime Minister for his love and affection towards the people of Assam, Sonowal said that,  Narendra Modiji has been closely monitoring the flood situation and helping the state in all possible ways to mitigate the sufferings of the flood affected people.

The Assam CM also informed that under Prime Minister’s directive, a high level committee would be constituted for finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the flood and erosion problems plaguing the State.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)