A CORRESPONDENT
KHERONI: Amarsing Tisso, Member of Parliament for the 6-Diphu (ST) Loksabha constituency of Assam, has successfully advocated for improved railway services in Diphu. Representing Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao districts, Tisso wrote to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, on August 5, 2024, highlighting the region’s limited rail connectivity despite its importance as a tourist and traveller hub.
Diphu, the administrative headquarter of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), is the largest town in Assam’s hill districts, with a population exceeding one lakh. The Diphu Railway Station, a C-category station under the Lumding Railway Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone, Maligaon, Guwahati, lies on the Lumding-Dibrugarh main line. However, key trains like the 12423/12424 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Town Rajdhani Express (daily), 15906/15907 Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express, and 22502/22503 New Tinsukia-SMVT Bengaluru Superfast Express previously had no stoppage at Diphu, forcing residents to travel 37-39 km to Dimapur or Lumding Junction.
In his letter, Tisso urged the Ministry to introduce a 1-2 minute stoppage for these trains to ease the inconvenience faced by locals. He also called for the expedited completion of expansion, renovation, and beautification works at Diphu Railway Station to enhance passenger experience. Noting that West Karbi Anglong lacks any rail network and Karbi Anglong has had limited stations since independence, Tisso stressed the urgent need for better connectivity to benefit the public.
The wait is now over for the people of Karbi Anglong (Diphu). On May 27, the Railway Ministry approved a stoppage for the 12423/12424 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Town Rajdhani Express (daily) at Diphu, as confirmed in reference No. 2025/CHG/13/NFR/07-Part (1) and letter No. T/197/MP, ML’s/TM dated 21/23.05.2025 by the Joint Director (Coaching), Railway Board, New Delhi.
In a letter addressed to MP Amarsing Tisso, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, overseeing Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, announced the approval, marking a significant win for regional connectivity.
This development is expected to greatly benefit residents, tourists, and travellers, with hopes that further stoppages for other trains and station improvements will follow soon.
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