Guwahati, 25th July: In a bid to bolster railway connectivity in Assam and explore the establishment of rail manufacturing entities within the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a comprehensive discussion with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The talks also considered the potential for new train routes to benefit devotees and regional connectivity.
Among the key points discussed was the introduction of direct train connectivity between Kamakhya and Ayodhya, which would significantly aid devotees traveling between these two spiritual hubs. The possibility of initiating train services between Assam’s Barak Valley and West Bengal via Bangladesh was also tabled, with the Railway Ministry assuring that this will be prioritized.
Chief Minister Sarma expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister for his efforts to enhance the allocation for railway connectivity in Assam in the Union Budget 2024.
During a virtual interaction with Northeast media representatives from Delhi, Minister Vaishnaw detailed the substantial allocation for the Railway Ministry in the General Budget 2024-25, emphasizing a historic capital investment of Rs. 2.62 lakh crores. This includes Rs. 1.08 lakh crores specifically earmarked for critical safety enhancements such as track replacements, signalling system upgrades, Kavach system installations, and the construction of Road Under Bridges/Road Over Bridges to replace existing level crossings.
Under the Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme, 60 stations in the Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway zone will be redeveloped with world-class facilities. This redevelopment will include 50 stations in Assam, four in Tripura, and one each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. Since 2014, a record 470 Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges have been constructed over N.F. Railway, enhancing road and rail safety by replacing existing level crossings.
These developments are poised to significantly improve railway infrastructure and connectivity in Assam and the broader Northeast region, fostering economic growth and enhancing travel convenience for residents and visitors alike.