NFR top honcho said that sabotage activity by the militants resulted in damage to Railway stocks and loss to the national economy. 

HOME truth but said once again by way of a reminder- ultras are hindering development of rail network in the northeast. Militant attacks are forcing the railways to cancel several trains like for instance, the Fakiragram-Dhubri train. Because of ‘derailment’ by the ultras, our construction projects are having cost and time over runs, says, Vipan Nanda, General Manager, NF Railway. He admitted that Railway employees also face the extortion demands. “But we have time and again asked the Railway employees not to give in to such  demands as any yielding would make the virus spread like cancer,” Nanda told reporters in Guwahati.

The NFR top honcho pointed out that any sabotage activity by the militants not only resulted in damage to Railway stocks, but also affected train movement and resulted in a loss to the national economy. He said that the Railways have regular meetings with the State Government on security measures and patrolling of the tracks has also been intensified to prevent sabotage by the militants. About the accident rate, Nanda said that the number of train accidents in the NFR is coming down gradually over the years. He revealed that the NF Railway witnessed 95 accidents in 2000-2001 and the number came down to 58 in 2001-2002 and to 38 in 2002-2003. He hoped that the number of accidents this year would not be more than 25. This year the NF Railway is spending close to Rs 100 crore on safety measures like installation of modern signalling equipment, replacement and rehabilitation of the old bridges, improved maintenance of the tracks, and training to the staff. Last year, the NFR rehabilitated 30 old bridges; 30 more would be taken up this year.

The gauge conversion from Siliguri to Bongaigaon will be over by March next thus facilitating speeding of trains – passenger as well as goods - to the region. Nanda admitted that frequent agitations and bandhs affected the railway besides inconveniency the travelling passengers.  To minimise harassment to the passengers railways try to minimise cancellations to the extent possible during agitations and bandhs, he said pointing out “Most agitations have nothing to do against the Railways. We are targetted to gain attention and some publicity”. On NFR’s fiscal health, the General Manager has no rosy picture to offer. The losses are huge. At one time the NFR spent Rs. 230 crore to earn Rs. 100. Now, the figure has come down to Rs 173. He expressed the hope that the NF Railway would be able to bring it down further to Rs 150.  The gauge conversion, according to him, would help NFR to achieve the break-even.

Meanwhile, an NGO, Majuli Surakhya Samity has urged the NFR authorities   to make public the findings of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study of the Bogi Beel bridge and to draw up an environmental management action plan to save Majuli. The NGO has also requested the Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd (RITES), to take steps so that the bridge will work havoc in the lower reaches of the river.

In a memorandum to the General Manager (Construction), NFR, the NGO expressed apprehension that the bridge might bring tragedy to the people living in the downstream areas. The largest river island on the earth Majuli may also be washed away, if no adequate step is taken to determine the magnitude of ‘potential negative environmental impact of the bridge in the downstream areas’. The Samity in its memorandum, copies of which are also sent to the Chief Minister of the State, Chairman, Brahamaputra Board, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (Government of India), Director, Central Water Commission, also laid stress on preparing an action plan to save the flood-prone Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts on the north bank of the river.

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