General manager of the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) (Construction), NK Prasad, on Thursday called on Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in Itanagar and informed that the Centre has given the green signal for a new railway line from Silapathar in Assam to Aalo, via Bame in West Siang district of the State. This was stated in an official press release issued by the Chief Minister’s office.
Khandu held a detailed discussion on railway connectivity with the NF Railway general manager (construction) and his team of officials where he impressed upon the officials that a railway line to Aalo should be made on priority basis.
Prasad assured that survey work for the railway line will begin soon, and also informed that another new railway line, from North Lakhimpur in Assam to Ziro in Lower Subansiri of Arunachal Pradesh, has been approved.
The Chief Minister also requested the officials to immediately start the survey and investigation works, and assured full support and cooperation from the State Government.
He further sought the status of other railway lines being proposed in the State.
The officers informed that survey for three railway lines – Margherita in Assam to Deomali in Arunachal Pradesh (31 km), Lekhapani to Kharsang (25 km), and Itakhola to Seijosa (18 km) has been completed.
Survey for other railway lines is in progress, and includes Doomdooma-Namsai-Wakro (96 km), Dangri-Roing (60 km), Deomali-Naharkatia (20 km), Kharsang-Miao-Nampong-New Kamlang Deban (75 km), and Tinsukia-Pasighat via Simalguri Kanubari (300 km).
The Chief Minister also discussed the progress of the railway line from Murkongselek to Pasighat (26 km) and Pasighat-Tezu-Parashuram Kund-Rupai.
The officials informed that land acquisition process for Murkongselek-Pasighat has been completed and survey work is in full progress. They also informed that survey work for Pasighat to Rupai via Tezu and Parashuram Kund is also in progress.
The meeting also discussed the Bhalukpong to Tawang railway line that will cut down the existing road distance from 385 km to 165 km when completed.
The Chief Minister said once these railway lines become fully functional they will benefit the farmers the most as due to lack of connectivity they are unable to find viable markets, the release added.