Demand for stoppage of Rajdhani Express at Furkating station

From a Correspondent

Golaghat, Jan  21: Through the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, the United Chambers of Commerce Golaghat submitted a memorandum stating that the north-eastern region of the country of which Assam is an integral part has seen tardy and not so significant development in the matter of expansion and improvement of rail network.

It is lagging far behind than the other parts or regions of the country and thus there is lop-sided and imbalanced development of rail facilities which causes widespread resentment and generates a feeling of alietion in the people of the region and is often a serious irritant to the feeling of tiol integration and unity of the country.

According to the United Chambers of Commerce Golaghat president Apurva Ballabh Goswami, secretary Dip Kalita and Station Consultative Committee Representative RM Binni, the districts of Assam through which the Rajdhani trains pass have at least one halt/ stoppage. The district of Golaghat which comprises of four administrative subdivisions and five assembly constituencies with a population of over 20 lakh, does not have the privilege of enjoying a ride on Rajdhani Express trains as Furkating junction station on the Dibrugarh- Guwahati section does not have a stoppage.

The Kaziranga tiol Park is about 65 km away from Golaghat and the nearest railhead on the main line is at Furkating Junction Station. In the interest of promotion of inland and overseas tourist traffic to this tiol Park, Rajdhani Express trains should be allowed to stop at Furkating Junction Station to facilitate boarding  and disembarkation of passengers at this station which would immensely help the visitors and tourists to the tiol park, stated the memorandum.

Besides, the Numaligarh Refinery Limited is located at a distance of 25 km from Golaghat and substantial rail traffic origites therewith. This refinery provides substantial income to the railways as the end products of the refinery are moved to markets through railways. Even on this score, there is enough justification in the demand for providing stop of Rajdhani Express trains at Furkating Junction. Further, Golaghat district has more than 100 tea gardens besides numerous small garden and growers which also expect comfortable and fast rail travel offered by trains like Rajdhani Express trains.

In addition, the Railways are running the weekly 12525 and 12526 Dibrugarh- Kolkata Express train - which does not stop at Furkating Junction Station. They have demanded to allow the stoppage of this train at Furkating as well. A copy of the memorandum was submitted to MP Gaurav Gogoi as well.