Railway minister lays foundation stone of Bengal-Assam electrification project
The foundation stone laying function held at the parade ground of RPF Reserve Lines also saw the flagging off a passenger train from Karimganj to Maishashan.
The projects have been designed to meet the aspirations of the people of the State considering that electrification and doubling of track was a long cherished dream of for railway in Assam.
Speaking on the occasion Assam CM said that electrification and doubling of track is a welcome step which will help in boosting railway service in Assam besides facilitating a seamless train operation.
Lauding the Centre for taking special care for Assam and North East, Sonowal said it was during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, foundation stone of the Bogibeel Bridge was laid and now under the present dispensation led by Narendra Modi the Bridge will be dedicated to the Nation in 2017.
On the doubling of track and electrification projects in Assam, Sonowal said these projects once commissioned would usher in revolution of railway communication in the State.
He also requested the Railway Minister for taking steps for railway network to touch all district headquarters of Assam including Barpeta Town, Majuli and Sadia.
Sonowal also demanded that the Railway Ministry should take tangible steps for recruiting all locals in Grade III and Grade IV positions in the railway.
Moreover, he urged upon the Railway Minister for utilising the unused railway lands for setting up skill development centres in Assam.
Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit while speaking on the occasion hailed the efforts of the Railway Ministry for taking Assam and other parts of North East into priority zone for extension and development of railway.
Appreciating the role of the present State Government led by Sarbananda Sonowal on clamping down on corruption in the State, Purohit said that the move will create a conducive atmosphere for the developmental activities to assume high importance.
Speaking on the occasion Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that in the last two years investment for railway projects in North East has increased phenomenally like never before.
He also said that plans are on the anvil for including Sikkim in the railway map of the country.
The Union Railway minister said that the electrification project stretching 382 km of route distance and 387 km of track distance will be commissioned within three years.
Prabhu also informed that for the first time an Automatic Railway Wiring Train will be pressed into service for completing the electrification work to enable Railway Ministry to expedite the development of Assam in sync with the nature.
He also informed that plans are on the pipeline for transforming Guwahati Railway Station to a world class station complete with all modern amenities.
Prabhu also stated that the Railway Ministry is also contemplating construction of elevated Train Line in Guwahati to decongest and eliminate all surface crossings in the interest of public safety.
Union Minister of State for Railway Rajen Gohain also spoke on the occasion.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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