Staff Reporter
Guwahati: In a significant move to enhance railway infrastructure and connectivity in Assam, the Assam Rail Passengers Association (ARPA) has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, listing several urgent demands aimed at revitalizing and improving the state’s rail services.
In the letter titled “Some Essential Needs of Assam to Achieve Better Rail Transportation,” ARPA stressed the need to restore pre-COVID train services, improve passenger amenities, and expand regional connectivity. The association urged the Chief Minister to intervene and raise these concerns with the Union Ministry of Railways for prompt action.
Among the key demands is the resumption of multiple pre-COVID train services, including the Dekargaon–Dibrugarh Intercity, Mariani–Jorhat–Golaghat–Dimapur Passenger, Dibrugarh–Kolkata Express, Alipurduar Junction–Kamakhya Passenger, and the Dibrugarh–Ledo Morning DEMU. ARPA also proposed the extension of the Guwahati–New Bongaigaon service to Fakiragram, along with the restoration of all previously available stoppages and inclusion of new stops as recommended by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
The association further proposed several new initiatives to bolster connectivity. These include the introduction of EMU trains between Kamakhya and Narengi, the launch of new passenger services in the Bilasipara section, and the establishment of a suburban EMU rail service connecting Guwahati and Dibrugarh. Additionally, ARPA recommended setting up a new passenger terminal at Ayodhya to handle long-distance trains and introducing an additional Rajdhani Express via Barpeta Road to New Delhi.
In a broader demand, ARPA called for the creation of a composite railway zone under the NEC that would connect key states in the Northeast and streamline operations by merging areas currently managed under the East and Eastern Railways.
The association has urged the Chief Minister to take up these issues with the Union Ministry of Railways for swift action and implementation.
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