Centre increases budget to improve rail connectivity in Northeast

Dimapur, Dec. 7 (EMN): The government of India through Ministry of Railways is said to be making all-out efforts to improve rail connectivity in Northeast by providing better railway infrastructure.

According to a press release by the Northeast Frontier Railway, the average annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in Assam and north-eastern region during 2014-19 has been enhanced to INR 5,531 crore per year from INR 2,122 crore per year during 2009-14, which is an increase on 261%.

In comparison to 333 km length (66 km new line, 257 km gauge conversion and 10 km doubling) being commissioned in Assam and north-eastern region, at an average annual rate of 67 km per year during 2009-14, 1223 km (231 km new line, 972 km gauge conversion and 20 km doubling) has been commissioned at an average annual rate of 245 km per year, during 2014-19, which is an increase of 267%, informed the press release which is said to be based on information provided by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

It went on to say that for development of Assam and north-eastern region, 20 projects (14 new lines and 6 doublings) costing INR 73,214 crore covering a length of 1,786 km are under different stages of planning/ approval/ execution. Such projects include 14 new line projects covering a length of 1,303 km and costing INR 57,826 crore, out of which commissioning of 333 km length has been achieved and an expenditure of INR 20,062 crore has been incurred up to March in 2019 and an outlay of INR 2828 crore has been provided for 2019-20.

Six doubling projects covering a length of 483 km and costing INR 15,388 crore, out of which commissioning of 20 km length has been achieved and an expenditure of INR 1,298 crore has been incurred up to March, 2019 and an outlay of INR 725 crore has been provided for 2019-20.

The update stated that the Indian Railway is making all efforts for quick execution of these projects, monitoring at various levels and meetings being held with officials of state government and concerned authorities in order to complete in time without cost overrun. However, it said exact completion time for projects cannot be assessed with accuracy at initial stage due to various factors, including land acquisition issues, geological and topographical conditions of the area, and law and order situation in the region.