Guwahati: The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned and allocated funds for conducting the Final Location Survey of the Aluabari-Thakurganj section of about 19 km, Arariya-Thakruganj-Siliguri section of about 168 km, Siliguri Town-Gulma (bypass line) of 14 km and New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri section of 8 km for construction of new double lines.
The rail route from Katihar/Malda Town to Dibrugarh is the main cardinal route of NF Railway system. This important rail route connects the northeastern region comprising seven states with the remaining states of India.
The doubling of the broad gauge line of the targeted sections is of high priority for NFR. On completion of the proposed doubling works, there will be four-line connectivity from Katihar to the North East. This will help in better mobility of railway traffic to the Northeastern states with the northern part of India.
Under ‘Act Northeast Policy’, the Centre has been investing hugely in the infrastructure sector, including agriculture, which will bound to increase the transportation need. So, the traffic load is likely to increase very significantly on this route.
The region is important for trade, commerce and tourism for West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and international countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. These sections, once completed with the doubling of the railway line, will be considered as a major alternative connectivity for the zone that will reduce the time, cost and distance of transportation for both man and materials thus giving a major socio-economic boost to the areas and the entire region.
The project will lead to the creation of a huge amount of job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled people. Infrastructural development like new stations, road connections, goods yards and businesses will lead to the overall economic growth of the nearby districts.
Also, these double lines will directly boost transportation with international countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh, as ease in the transportation of raw materials and other necessities will be available at lesser cost and time.
The punctuality of coaching trains will also improve significantly saving commutation time for passengers. Goods movement will become seamless leading to a major cost reduction for existing businesses using freight services.
The Indian Railways are constantly investing significantly for the betterment of connectivity in the region. With the implementation of the project, more rakes can be loaded and moved within the same time frame leading to earnings for the railways. The cost and time competitiveness of rail will increase significantly in the region in comparison to roadways.
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