BG line to be commissioned in August

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, July 29: The conversion work of Broad Gauge (BG) line in the Rangiya-Murkongselek route of the NF Railway has been completed with installation of equipments in the stations along the rail route and the authorities are all set to operate passenger train service from August 1 next. NF Railway sources informed that the last phase of gauge conversion work along 155-km railway stretch between North Lakhimpur to Murkongselek (Joi) was completed.

The railway authority had earlier announced the commissioning of the newly converted BG line by March 15 this year, but it was delayed for security related issues.

Later, Commissioner of Railway Safety, NE Circle (Kolkata), Sudarshan yak, along with the top ranking railway officials conducted the high-speed trial run on the newly converted Broad Gauge railway and gave green sigl for early commissioning of the BG line in May this year.

It may be recalled that Rangiya-Murkongselek railway route came up in 1962 during Chinese Aggression for transportation of security forces to Aruchal Pradesh. The BG railway line has been proposed to be extended to Pasighat in East Siang and further to Roing, Parsuramkund, Rupai, Anjaw and other places along the Indo-Chi border. On the other hand, NF Railway officials are confident for the completion of Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra River by early 2017. The bridge, when completed, will provide rail connectivity for Assam and Aruchal with the rest of the country.