Sushmita Dev discusses resumption of train services

 Special Correspondent

 SILCHAR, June 25: In view of the critical condition in the Migrendisa stretch of Silchar – Lumding BG track following heavy downpours and resultant landslides in the hills, damaging the rail line and disrupting the movement of passenger and goods trains, the question of altertive route came up during the meeting of Silchar MP Sushmita Dev with General Mager of NF Railway H K Jaggi and Chief Administrative Officer Ajit Pandit. The meeting took place at the official residence of the General Mager where the present condition of the track found prominence.

 The suspension of train services has badly affected the travelling public not only of Barak Valley but also Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur. The bottleneck in the hills sections has restricted the movement of trains from the neighbouring states to Barak Valley only.

Sushmita was briefed by the General Mager about the unforeseen emergence of complicated problems in the 300 metre stretch of Migrendisa where the track had been badly affected and displaced. This happened even after exhaustive test of soil and the geo-physic factors. This phenomenon has puzzled the engineering department of the railway.

 As the track could not be laid down on its origil alignment, a diversion of 250 metre has been taken up and once the track is completed on the diversion, the possibility of resumption of train services might be possible by the middle of July. Both Jaggi and Pandit also briefed the Silchar MP about the other problems created by the Silchar-Saurashtra Mahasadak which runs parallel to the railway track in the area in question above it. When the earth is disturbed for strengthening the highway, the railway track below is affected.

 This is happening due to the lack of coordition in execution of work between the railway and the tiol Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL). Sushmita assured that she would take up the matter with Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal and also with the Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, Dinesh Tripathi, MP, for bringing about the desired cooperation and coordition.

Jaggi also brought into focus the fact even if the track was properly laid and trains started chugging, the continuous load of rolling stock from Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, besides Barak Valley, would cause heavy pressure on the hills section track.

 The NF Railway is therefore considering to revive the proposal of Chandrathpur – Lanka altertive route whose engineering cum traffic survey was okayed in 1983 by the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES). For fresh survey, Rs.100 crore would be needed, pointed out H K Jaggi. The proposal in this respect with all details would be sent to Ministry of Railways for consideration.

 Sushmita raised the issue of BG track and running of trains, now suspended, after the meeting of the 92nd meeting of the Zol Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) was held at Luitgarh officers’ club, mbari in Maligaon on Thursday.

According to NF Railway Maligaon, altogether 42 members of the committee were present at the meeting which included members of parliament, members of legislative assemblies, parliamentary secretaries, representatives of stakeholders like passengers’ associations, chambers of commerce from all over NF Railway.