Sangram Committee demands for early passenger train services

From a correspondent

Silchar, October 2: After six months of mega block when the BG engine chugged in Silchar railway station on March 13 this year, the railway authorities assured that passenger train services would start from the month of April. But shockingly, even after 6 months of completion of the BG works, the passenger train services have not yet been started. Meanwhile, around 90 goods trains have moved through the BG track without any major incident.

The people of Barak Valley have waited patiently for long 18 years for completion of the much awaited project. Even the people of other adjoining states including Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram depend on this rail route as the only safe means of connectivity with the rest of the country. The delay in the starting passenger train services is causing much hardships to the people of this remote underdeveloped region.

In the present state of affairs, the common man has no other altertive but to cough up huge amount of money to the bus and sumo operators for reaching other parts of the country. These were among the points stated in the memorandum send to rendra Modi, Prime Minister of India by Silchar–Lumding Broad Gauge Rupayan Sangram Committee on Thursday. The members of the committee urged upon the Prime Minister to look into the matter and order a high level inquiry into the overall works done by the NF Railways and contractors involved in the project. They also held a protest demonstration in front of the statue of martyr Khudiram Bose on the occasion.

 Arushu Bhattacharjee, one of the conveners of the committee, pointed out that the mega block on Silchar-Lumding MG route has completed its one year but the authorities concerned seemed to have forgotten the promise they made to the people of Barak Valley and adjoining states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram. Ajoy Roy, convener of Cachar district committee, pointed out that the people of the valley are trapped between blocked railway route and the pathetic conditions of roads and highways connecting it with the rest of the country.

The members further alleged that the transport lobby in collusion with the railway authorities is behind the present imbroglio over the delay in starting of passenger train services. The members also criticized the state administration for its total disregard and indifference towards the issue. They also said there is a strong suspicion that the CRS inspection report has been manipulated that is why it is not being made public. The members cautioned that they would be left with no other altertive but to launch a massive agitation if the passenger train services are not started at an early date.

 The members impressed upon the Prime Minister to look into the serious issue and take positive steps to start the passenger train services on the newly laid Silchar-Lumding BG route and provide relief to the aggrieved citizens of the region. They also cautioned the authorities concerned that they would be left with no other altertive but to launch a massive agitation if the passenger train services are not started at the earliest. Others who spoke on the occasion included Sushil Paul, Paritosh Paul Choudhury and Dilip Paul.