Centre eyes development in NE railway infrastructure: Suresh Prabhu

Guwahati: The Centre has aimed to more development in the railway infrastructure in the North Eastern region, Union Railway minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on Monday said during the inaugural function of the 60th National Level Railway Week Award Function-2015 at Guwahati, the capital city of Assam.

“Remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland will be included in the Indian railway map,” Prabhu said.

“In view of Prime Minister’s special emphasis and focus on the development of the North Eastern region, the significance accorded to the development of Railway infrastructure in this region by Indian Railways and the nation’s commitment towards the welfare of north eastern people, the Ministry of Railways celebrated its most momentous National level Award Function marking 60th Railway Week this year at Guwahati which is the nerve centre of entire North East,” the Union railway minister said.

This year’s Railways National Programme is dedicated to the North Easern Region and its people.

“Development of North Eastern Region has been an article of faith for the Central Government. Railway connectivity is obviously is an important factor in the development process. Indian Railways is earnestly committed to create adequate Railway infrastructure ( new lines, gauge conversions, station developments, new trains, passenger facility and amenities etc.) in North Eastern States. In view of the importance of this region, as many as 11 railway projects have been declared National Projects which receive uninterrupted funding from the Central Government. In 2014-15, more than Rs 5200 crore was provided for network expansion in NE Region. Again in 2015-16, an all time high outlay of over Rs 5300 crore has been provided for this purpose,” Suresh Prabhu said.

Recently, the Prime Minister Modi had flag off first train on the new railway line from Dudhnai in Assam to Mendipathar in Meghalaya thereby bringing Meghalaya on country’s railway map.

The Prime minister had also laid the foundation stone for new railway line from Bhairabi to Sairang which will provide railway connectivity to the Aizawal , the capital of Mizoram state.

The Prime Minister visited this region again in February, 2015 and inaugurated a direct train connecting Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh with the National Capital.

The Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu recently flagged off first Broad Gauge goods train on completion of Lumding-Silchar broad gauge (BG) line providing seamless BG rail connectivity to Assam’s Barak valley with the rest of the country. The passenger trains on this section will be started soon after the necessary clearance from Commissioner of Railway Safety.

The entire North Bank of Brahmaputra has been brought on Broad Gauge with completion of Rangiya – Murkongselek Gauge Conversion project.

“Indian Railways is committed to provide connectivity to all capitals of North Eastern states by 2020. The Railways have made spectacular achievements and created engineering marvels despite challenging geological conditions, difficult terrain and adverse law and order situation.. The field units in North Eastern region have also been empowered for faster decision making to expedite execution,” the Union railway minister said.

A total number 151 officers/staff from all Zonal railways including Ministry of Railways were presented the National Railway Awards for their outstanding performance.

In addition, four officers/staff (each in Hindi and English) were the winners for Essay Competition. Six officers/staff were the winners of Scrap Disposal of Performance Prize-2015 Winners of the shields were; the prestigious Govind Vallabh Pant shield for the best overall performance amongst the best zonal railways and the production units was bagged by West Central Railway ,Comprehensive Health Care Shield jointly for Eastern ,Southern and Northern Railways, Civil Engineering Shield jointly for West Central and South Central Railways, Mechanical Engineering Shield for North Central railway, Electrical Engineering Traction Shield for South Eastern Railway, Electric Coaching & General Service Shield Western Railway. Signal & Telecommunication Shield jointly was awarded to the West Central railway and Central Railway, Personnel Management Shield jointly for East Coast railway and West Central Railways, Stores Shield doer South Central Railway, Security Shield for Northern Railway, Traffic Transportation Shield for East Coast Railway, Accounts & Finance Management Shield South East Central Railway, Commercial Shield for Central Railway, Civil Engineering Construction Shield Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction), Sales Management Shield for South Central Railway, Running Room Shield of Vijayawada Division of South Central railway, Level Crossing & Road Over/Under Bridge Safety Works Shield for Northern Railway, Passenger Security Shield for Northeast Frontier Railway, Safety Shield jointly for Southern and West Central Railways, Best Production Unit Shield for Integral Coach Factory, Best Railway Workshop (Rolling Stock) Shield KOTA Workshop of West Central Railway .Comprehensive Health Care Cup for New Zones East Coast Railway, Station Cleanliness Shield for Southern railway and Train Cleanliness Shield for Western railway.

The Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Chairman, Railway Board A.K.Mital, Railway Board Members, Secretary, Railway Board, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway, General managers of the other Zonal railways and the Production units and other senior railway officials had also present in the function.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)