Suresh Prabhu flags off a new first passenger train in south Assam

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that it is an historic moment that people of South Assam are getting an important railway connectivity with rest of the Nation. 

"Today we are introducing a new train between Guwahati and Silchar after conversion of Lumding-Silchar Metre Gauge line into Broad Gauge. Goods trains are already running in this section since March, 2015. More passenger trains will be introduced in near future. This will fulfill the long cherished demand of the people of Barak Valley to have a seamless connectivity," Prabhu was quoted by an official release from his ministry.  

Prabhu said that Indian Railway is committed to improve its infrastructure in North-Easter region and pointed out that all the eight sisters of this region are dear to the heart of the people in the country. Rail connectivity to North Eastern States has been made a mission item by the new government, as we provided an all time high budget allotment of Rs.5200 crores to the projects in this region in 2014-15 which is over 50 per cent more than 2013-14.  This tempo has been maintained in 2015-16 also by providing Rs. 5300 crores.

Prabhu said that the railways are working expeditiously to connect all Capitals of North Eastern States with railway connectivity. Earlier this year Itanagar, the State Capital of Arunachal Pradesh was provided connectivity with the National Capital through a direct train. Also the entire North Bank of Brahmaputra has been brought on Broad Gauge with the commissioning of entire Rangiya-Rangapara-North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek (510 km) Gauge Conversion Project. 

Mega Block for conversion of Badarpur-Kumarghat-Agartala section has been taken with effect from Nov 1, 2015.  The Railway Minister pointed out that the work is progressing as per target and Agartala, the Capital of Tripura is all set to be on Broad Gauge by March, 2016. Along with this, the Gauge Conversion of Kathakal-Bhairabi (Mizoram) and Arunachal (Station) – Jiribam (Manipur) sections will also be completed and these two States i.e Manipur and Mizoram will also come on Broad Gauge map of the country. 

The Railway Minister said that Railways have been commissioning about 133 km Broad Gauge track every year in the North Eastern region in last 4-5 years. In 2014-15, a record was made when about 450 km of lines were commissioned. 

"This year again, we are all set to achieve a new record of commissioning of about 550 kilometres of Broad Gauge lines in this region," Prabhu said.

Referring to the excellent relations between India and Bangladesh Prabhu said that Indian Railways will also work for better connectivity with Bangladesh.

He said that the development of infrastructure will also help youth in a big way as they will get better opportunities for skill development etc. 

"The better railway connectivity will also provide better marketing facilities. Railways have been playing a major role in serving the infrastructural needs of the Northeast and will continue to contribute to the socio-economical development of this region," The Railway Minister said.

He congratulated all Railway personnel for completing this project successfully despite many problems.