Assam CM urges State Railways Minister for rail connectivity with Majuli

The day-long meeting, convened by the Minister for Railways with Chief Minister, MPs from Assam, Chief Secretary, Member Traffic, Railway Board, GM, NF Railways, GM (Construction) and senior officials of Railways and State Government, was held at the conference room of Assam Administrative Staff College in Khanapara in Guwahati on Tuesday.
          
Sonowal said connecting Majuli by railway lines would help to develop the river island economically and to make it a hub of tourism.

“Majuli will be exposed to the global society if the Railways build a bridge from Dhakuakhana in Dhemaji district,” Sonowal said.
          
Sonowal urged the Railway Minister and officials to create a separate railway zone exclusively for the North East region, including Sikkim.

“For the overall growth of railway network and economic prosperity of the eight North Eastern States, a separate railway zone in the name of North East Railway instead of North Frontier Railway must be created,” Sonowal said, adding that portions of West Bengal and Bihar that fall under the jurisdiction of NF Railways, must be excluded from the new zone.
          
The Assam CM called for recruitment of people from Assam and other North Eastern States in the 3rd and 4th grade categories in Railways.

“People encompassing the greater Assamese society must get preference in the 3rd and 4th grade posts in the Railways,” Sonowal said.
         
Sonowal pleaded with Gohain not to evict people residing in railway land for long 30 to 40 years and to go in for one time settlement with them to resolve the matter once and for all.

“The eviction of people residing since long in railway land creates resentment. Railways must opt for settlement by working out a compromise formula with them,” Sonowal said.

In this context, the Assam CM also urged the Minister to apprise the Government on how the Railways intend to make use of the rest of the unused land for economic purpose through PPP mode.

“Railways must conduct a proper assessment of land available in the State and develop projects that can fuel growth and create avenues for employment for the unemployed educated youths,” Sonowal said.
        
The Assam CM suggested for beautification of the areas in and around the ongoing Bogibeel bridge to make it a tourism spot.

“Large tracts of land in and around the Bogibeel bridge, one of the longest bridges in Asia, can be beautified through landscaping to make it a tourism hotspot,” Sonowal said.
   
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia requested the Minister for Railways to introduce four Shatabdi trains connecting Guwahati-Dibrugarh, Guwahati with Srirampur via Goalpara, Guwahati to Murkongseleng and Guwahati to Silchar to improve railway services in the State.

In this connection, Minister for Railways disclosed that plans are on the anvil to introduce Shatabdi trains viz., Guwahati to Dibrugarh and Murkongseleng to Guwahati.
    
The Chief Secretary requested for urgent commissioning of Moinaguri to Jogighopa railway line, particularly the stretch from Gauripur to Abhayapuri to ensure alternate link with the rest of the country.
    

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)