(a) the details of efforts made by the Government to improve railway infrastructure in the North-Eastern region including Arunachal Pradesh;
(b) whether the Government has fixed any time frame to bring rail connectivity to all major cities in the North-East; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1018 BY SHRI NINONG ERING TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.03.2016 REGARDING RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTH-EASTERN REGION.
(a) to (c): Indian Railways have laid great emphasis on improvement in Railway infrastructure in the North Eastern Region. 17 major railway projects consisting of 12 New Lines, 3 Gauge Conversion and 2 Doubling rail line projects have been taken up in North Eastern Region including Arunachal Pradesh. In addition, 2 Doubling projects have been included in Budget 2015-16 subject to requisite Government approvals.
An all time high outlay of over ` 5200 crore was provided for New Lines, Gauge Conversion and Doubling projects in North Eastern Region in 2014-15. Again in 2015-16, a still higher outlay of ` 5338 crore has been provided for speedier execution of these projects.
In last two years, following major developments have taken place in North Eastern Region, including Arunachal Pradesh:
(i) Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh was connected to the National Capital by a direct train.
(ii) With commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong line after gauge conversion, Arunachal Pradesh have been provided with second Broad Gauge connectivity.
(iii) Entire track on North Bank of Brahmaputra, running very close to Assam-Arunachal border, has been connected to Broad Gauge with commissioning of Rangiya-Murkongselek Broad Gauge line.
(iv) Meghalaya has been brought on railway map of the country with commissioning of Dudhnoi-Mendipathar railway line.
(v) With commissioning of Lumding-Silchar Broad Gauge line, the Barak Valley has been brought on Broad Gauge network of the country.
(vi) Agartala, the capital of Tripura has been brought on Broad Gauge network with introduction of goods trains on 20.02.2016.
(vii) Manipur state has also been connected with Broad Gauge network with introduction of goods trains on 20.02.2016.
Indian Railways endeavour to provide connectivity to all the states of North Eastern Region in next 4-5 years.
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