NSSP seeks better facilities for Barak rail passengers

Special correspondent

SILCHAR, April 17: Though the run of passenger and goods trains on the newly laid BG track between Silchar-Lumding is still uncertain, there are areas where lot has to be done to provide expected facilities to the travelling public. garik Swartharaksha Sangram Parishad (NSSP) in identical memorandum to the Railway Minister and the General Mager (Construction) NF Railway has laid stress on providing and improve facilities for incoming and outgoing passengers.

 Since, after a long time, the dream BG project of the people of Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur is almost a reality, it has been pointed out that new coaches should be attached with the trains and not old and worn out ones diverted from other routes. Along with that, Sangram Parishad has demanded resumption of the Barak Valley and Cachar Express trains on the BG track without further delay. Further, Sangram Parishad has emphasized on thorough run of long distance trains from Silchar to Kolkata, Delhi and South India. This would benefit not only the people of Barak Valley but also Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur.

 So long the people of these landlocked and hinterland areas of north east have been subjected to indescribable difficulties and troubles due to communications bottleneck. They quite turally want to have a new vista in their easy and fast movement. With the regular passenger and goods train services, the journey will be free from circuitous routes involving much loss of time and energy. In the matter of distribution of tea and sck stalls on platforms, preference should be given to the local educated unemployed youths.

 Besides, for hassle free movement of passengers in their compartments, special coach should be attached with long distance trains for vendors dealing in vegetables and fruits. It is essential, Sangram Parishad reminds, that in order to discourage and elimite hoarders and profiteers, passenger coach for vendors alone can remove the possibility of their domince. Another demand placed in the memorandum speaks of making provision for educated unemployed youths and their employment. No outsider should be allowed to create space for himself or herself, considering the acute unemployment problem in the region.

 In order to welcome the incoming trains on their maiden run and the passengers in them travelling from far and near destitions, work on platform no.1, 2 and 3 as well as over-bridges on both sides has been going on war-footing. A visit to the railway station shows the speed and alacrity with which finishing touches are waiting on them. Sangram Parishad however keeping a close watch on the developments has cautioned that no compromise should be made with quality on expeditious completion of the ongoing works.

 The memorandum signed by Haridas Dutta, general secretary, garik Swartharaksha Sangram Parishad, a copy of which has also been sent to the MP and MLA of Silchar, Chairman, Railway Board, and General Mager, NF Railway, has demanded monitoring of the quality of works. Expectations of the people of these areas are high and the railway authorities keeping it in view should give priority to the quality. After the report of the Commissioner of Railway Safety for the stretch of railway line between New Haflong and Silchar is complete and submitted to the authorities concerned, the thorough passenger and goods trains will be the dream come true for the anxious travelling public of the region.