ITANAGAR: To improve the country's rail infrastructure in the northeast, Indian Railways plans to build railroad tracks in Arunachal Pradesh that extend all the way to the China border, linking the neighboring nation of Bhutan as well.
In order to connect the border regions in the shortest amount of time, Indian Railways will build railway lines from Bhalukpong to Tawang along the China border and from Silapathar to Along via Bame. Once completed, these lines will be of strategic importance.
The final location survey for these new railway projects in Arunachal Pradesh is underway, according to the Railway Ministry.
According to Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, who was quoted by ANI, the NF Railway plans to build a number of additional new railway projects in the northeastern region, including Arunachal Pradesh.
"We have proposed to build a new railway line from Bhalukpong to Tawang, Silapathar to Along via Bame, and expand the railway line from Murkongselek to Pasighat," stated Sabyasachi De.
De added that in addition to this, it has plans to build a second railway line in Assam that will bypass the hilly Dima Hasao area, running from Lanka to Chandranathpur.
Notably, earlier this year floods and landslides destroyed certain railway tracks in Dima Hasao; these tracks, which were repaired urgently and are again fully operational, were uprooted due to floods and landslides. Neighboring Bhutan will also be connected by railways.
The new railway line, which will be between 58 and 58 kilometers long, will run from Kokrajhar (in Assam) to Gelephu in Bhutan, according to plans announced by Sabyasachi De.
The NF Railway CPRO reported that numerous railway projects are currently being built in the area, with a combined budget of about Rs. 1.15 lakh crore. The scope of these projects includes the construction of new lines, line doubling, station development, and electrification.
"The efforts to connect the capitals of Mizoram and Manipur are now underway and in full swing. We might connect to the capitals of Sikkim and Nagaland in the upcoming year. There are two additional important routes from New Bongaigaon to Guwahati: New Bongaigaon-Rangia-Kamakhya and New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Kamakhya. Additionally, we have electrified, and we are currently expanding beyond Guwahati "added De.
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