(a) the details of new railway lines constructed in the Himalayan States including States in the North East Region, during the past five years, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government has taken or propose to be taken any steps to improve railway connectivity in the Himalayan region and establish a Trans-Himalayan railway network; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c): It is Indian Railways’ endeavor to improve railway connectivity in the Himalayan States including States in the North Eastern Region. Toward this end, 20 New Lines, 4 Gauge Conversion and 9 Doubling projects having total length of 3682 km costing 91,756 Crores have been taken up falling fully/partly in these States. As the railway projects straddle across one or more States, the details are not maintained State-wise. However, following important rail connectivity projects/sections having a total length of about 1000 km have been commissioned in these States in last 5 years in this region:-
1. Udhampur-Katra and Qazigund-Banihal sections of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project.
2. Harmuti-Naharlagun (Itanagar) New line.
3. Rangya-Rangapara-Murkongselek Gauge Conversion project including Balipara-Bhalukpong.
4. Lumding-Silchar sections of Lumding-Silchar-Kumarghat Gauge Conversion project.
5. Dudhnoi-Mendipathar (Meghalaya) new line.
6. Fakiragram-Dhubri and Golakganj-Gauripur sections of New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon Guage Conversion project.
7. New Guwahati-Digaru Doubling.
8. Bareilly-Lalkuan section of Kanpur-Kasganj-Bareilly & Bareilly-Lalkuan Gauge Conversion project.
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