“14 projects will transform the face of transport infrastructure in the NE and unleash the enormous development potential of the region.”   

In a major initiative to expedite execution of rail projects in the North-East, the Sixth North-East Sectoral Summit on Rail Connectivity  endorsed a proposal to complete 14 major railway projects with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore within 11th Plan period. The sectoral meeting was attended by Union Minister DoNER, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of State for Railways, R. Veelu, General Manager of Railways (Construction), A.K.Jain, Secretary DoNER, Sushma Singh, officials of Union Finance Ministry and Planning Commission.

The Summit recognised that if the 14 projects are in fact completed within the 11th Plan period through Mission Mode, as agreed, it would transform that face of transport infrastructure in the North-East and unleash the enormous development potential of the region,” said Aiyar.

The meeting focused on funding of these projects, which also includes four national projects. “However, the provision of the required funds is but the beginning; what is required to be able to ensure that the availability of funds is matched by performance on the ground,” said Aiyar.

The meeting has proposed a long-term plan clearly indicating the phases in which the project would be completed in five years time-frame of 11th Plan, the release of the annual instalments by Ministry of Finance, determination by Railways in consultation with State Governments the availability of capacity to undertake work.

Besides, with determining the availability of financial resources and construction capacity, the need to estimate security requirements.

Establishment of a comprehensive monetary mechanism with representative from all stakeholders to keep under frequent review the progress of the work. The 14 projects identified included the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge, Kumarghat-Agartala, Jiribum-Tupul, Dimapur-Zubza, Azra-Byrnighat, Lumding-Silchar, Rangiya-Murkongselek and Kathakal-Bairabi besides New Guwahati-Digaru among others.

Besides the 14 projects the meeting also agreed to prepare a concept paper on India-China Friendship Railways to bring railway to bordering areas of the North-East adjoining China and possibly link up with the Chinese rail network. Further, another concept paper would be prepared by Arunachal Pradesh Government high-lighting the railway construction requirements.

A concept paper has been proposed to be prepared linking Jogighopa through the plains of West Garo Hills and the Southern plains bordering Bangladesh all the way through the East Khasi and Jayantia Hills to link up with the Lumding-Silchar railway line. In all five concept papers were proposed to be prepared most of them exploring the possibility of establishing rail links with neighbouring countries of the North-East.

The expanded rail network will give boost to the North-East for export of its products not only to rest of India but also to neighbouring countries, said Aiyar.

The Minister said the possibility of linking Myanmar and extending Kumarghat-Agartala line to Chittagong were being explored. Currently only two State capitals in the North-East including Guwahati and Agartala are on the railway map of the country.

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