Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 38-39

Mar 7 - Mar 21 , 1999

New trains for NE Introduction of two new trains —— bi-weekly Guwahati-Chennai Express and Kamakhya-New Bongaigaon Passenger — were announced by Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 1999-2000. Altogether the Railway Minister has announced 14 pair of new trains in this year's budget. The Railway Minister in his budget speech said that when they took over the reins, there were a number of railway projects which were not approved by the Ministry. He announced formal approval of such projects in the current budget. These new Projects include Diphu-Korang (new line) and New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon (gauge conversion). But Nitish Kumar regretted that work on the Goalpara-Guwahati line which was slated to be completed by the end of this financial year has been severely affected by the law and order problems. However, this vital line is expected to be completed by the next financial year, he hoped. In 1998-99, the Railways have completed the gauge conversion work in Bhivsagar-Moranhat and Marinaini-Jorhat lines. The ministry has also taken up survey for the new line between Agartala and Akhaura, the Union Minister informed. An amount of Rs. 200 lakh have been provided the year 1999-2000 for Dudhnoi-Deepa broad gauge line. Rs 400 lakh have been given for the Kumarghat-Agartala project. Meanwhile, the explanatory Memorandum on the Railway Budget for 1900-2000 indicated that an amount of Rs. 1000 lakh has been earmarked for new lines in Jogighopa-Guwahati rail-cum-road bridge along with broad gauge line from Jogoghopa to Guwahati with a total length of 142.15 kms. Similarly, for Dudhnoi-Deepa broad gauge line, the Ministry has allocated Rs. 200 lakh for the current financial year. In total, Rs. 75 crore have been allocated in 1999-2000 for Kumarghat Agartala (119 kms), Harmoti-Itanagar (33 kms.), Brahmaputra bridge at Bogibeel, Diphu-Karong line. The Ministry has also allocated about Rs. 40 crore for the projects in the North-Eastern region in North Eastern Frontier Railways for doubling, bridge works, signaling and other works. Introduction of the new trains, specially the Guwahati-Chennai Express was hailed by the leaders from the North-East.

| Assam | Oriental Times(Headlines) | Home Page |