A delegation led by Shri Santosh Mohan Deb, Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and comprising of Sarvashri Karnendu Bhattacharjee, MP and L. M. Suklabaidya, MP called on the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad here yesterday.
The delegation drew the attention of the Railway Minister to a news item appearing in a section of the press regarding ongoing railway projects in the North Eastern Region, quoting sources in the Railway Board. The Minister for Railways assured the delegation that the work on the Jiribam-Tupul line is going on as per the plan and the target for completion of work on this line will be met. Funds will not be a constraint in execution of this project, he said.
The delegation said that the condition of the metre guage bridge between Katakhal and Salchapra has deteriorated and sought Railway Minister’s intervention to ensure that this bridge was maintained whereafter the State Government will take over. The Minister of Railways informed the delegation that as part of guage conversion work, a new bridge has already been constructed on BG standards and it will be commissioned in October 2006. The Railways will maintain the existing MG Rail cum Road Bridge till the Railway shifts to a new bridge. The State Government has been approached by the Railways to take over this bridge on nominal lease charges and start maintaining the bridge thereafter for road use. After commissioning of new rail bridge, this MG bridge will no more be used by the Railways. Shri Santosh Mohan Deb agreed to impress upon this on the State Government
Smt. Kanti Singh, Minister of State for Heavy Industries, who was also present, mentioned that movement of bamboos from Panchgram station on Badarpur-Silchar Section be expedited to improve paper production. Shri J. P. Batra, Chairman, Railway Board informed her that NF Railway has been directed to improve the loading from 10 rakes a month, as done in the past, to about 15 rakes a month. Shri Batra also informed that priority on the section will however continue to be given to food grains and other essential commodities required for the States of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur. He also pointed out that as on date, there are no indents pending for loading of bamboo at Panchgram.
IKC/HK/CK/TR
(Release ID :19399)