Northeast Frontier Railway working to boost Arunachal economy

Itanagar: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is working to make Arunachal Pradesh a major tourist destination by developing infrastructure in the landlocked state.

State capital Itanagar has became the second among the eight north eastern states after Guwahati to be on the railway map when in 2018 the first broad gauge passenger train chugged into Naharlagun station.

The NFR has implemented many other developmental and infrastructural initiatives in the state during 2014-22 to improve connectivity and boost tourism.

The 26.15-km Murkongselek - Pasighat new line has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 661 crore for execution and surveys for more new broad gauge lines are going on, NFR sources informed here.

Some important ongoing surveys include, Lekhapani to Deban via Nampong (75-km); Dumduma to Wakro (96-km) via Simulguri, Namsai and Chowkham; Dangri to Roing (60-km) & Tinsukia (Longpatia) to Pasighat (300-km) via Kanubari, Deomali, Lekhapani, Jairampur, Kharsang, Miao, Diyu, Tezu, Bhismaknagar, Roing and Dambuk; Dhalai Beel to Seijosa via Itakhola (18-km); Naharkatia to Deomali (20-km); Misamari (Bhalukpong) to Tawang (198-km) via Tenga; North Lakhimpur to Bame via Silapathar (87-km); Pasighat to Rupai via Tezu (217.8-km) and Lekhapani and Kharsang (26.2-km) are going on in full swing. These new lines once commissioned would herald socio-economic boom in the state.

Apart from survey of these new lines, other basic railway infrastructures have also been augmented in the state.

New Coaching Maintenance Depot was set up and commissioned at Naharlagun in March 2020.

Mechanised cleaning of Naharlagun station started from 2018-19. Toilets for Divyangjan have also been provided at Gumto, Naharlagun and Bhalukpong stations.

Better rail connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh will not only benefit the local populations, but also give a new thrust to economy of Northeast region, the sources added.

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