Better connectivity, facilities of railway services in Upper Assam urged
From our Staff Correspondent
Dibrugarh, May 31: The Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dibrugarh, having admired the efforts of Union Minister of Railways, Suresh Prabhu for bringing significant and important improvements in Railway operations, administration and services, through a memorandum has urged upon the Union Railway Minister for better connectivity and facilities of railway services in Upper Assam region.
Issues incorporated in the memorandum include speedy completion of Bogibeel Bridge, as the development process of the region has been stalled due to unprecedented delay in its completion, which is also vital from the defense point and an important link between Upper Assam and north bank of Brahmaputra including the State of Aruchal Pradesh.
Second, converting the existing single railway track from Dibrugarh to Lumding into a double track. Third, extension of Guwahati- Bikaner 5631- 5632 Express to and from Dibrugarh and a direct train to Mumbai from Dibrugarh. The 12520 Kamakhya Mumbai LTT AC Express should also be extended up to Dibrugarh, stated the memorandum.
Another demand includes railway sanctions for an over bridge connecting tiol Highway to new DBRG station. Moreover, due to lack better road connectivity, the role of railways for creating and developing basic infrastructure by providing better connectivity, more trains and modern goods carrying structure will help in development of Northeast, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum further stated that goods wagons operating in this region needed to be designed to make them water proof , as most of the food grains, cement and other items coming from other States get damaged due to excessive and continuous rain in the Northeast, which in turn increases the prices of the commodities.
Introduction of a Jan Shatabdi train between Tinsukia and Dimapur via Dibrugarh for the convenience of large number of passengers was also urged in the memorandum.
Importantly, the memorandum even included allowing of the system of piecemeal booking in the major towns of Upper Assam, like Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Jorhat, where only two-point booking is allowed. It is believed that if piecemeal system is allowed in the region, both Railways and the public would be benefitted as the Stats depends on import of all food and other items from other regions of the country , which will thereby help in bringing down the prices of such imported goods.
Notably, by permitting the system of piecemeal booking, the tea industry will be encouraged to transport their finished products through railway, as for the tea industry dispatch of their product through railway as full rack is not possible.
By submitting the memorandum to the Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, president of EACCI, Bhudev Phukan, has hoped that due importance would be given for significant improvement of railway operations in the region.
