New weekly train between Dibrugarh, Silchar flagged off

With the introduction of this new service, a long standing demand of people from both the areas stands fulfilled.

The weekly train will run every Monday from Dibrugarh and every Tuesday from Silchar and between two destinations the train will have scheduled stoppages at Sivasagar Town, Simalguri, Mariani, Dimapur, Lumding, New Haflong and Badarpur stations.          

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal termed the day as a historic day in the annul of Barak and Brahmaputra valley connectivity.

He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having taken keen interests in the development of railway connectivity in the North East.

He also said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohian has been able to bring 46 new railway projects involving total project cost of Rs 89601 crore in the North East.

Sonowal said that, out of the 46 projects, 25 projects have been earmarked for new railway lines in the region.

He also thanked the Finance and Railway Ministry for pumping in Rs 2353 crore in North east for electrification of train running in the 2018 budget.          

The Assam CM said that with the introduction of the new train a new bridge of connectivity will be forged between Barak and Brahmaputra.

He also hoped that the new train will strengthen friendship and camaraderie between the people of two valleys.

Sonowal reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthen unity between Barak and the Brahmaputra as the new dispensation has successfully taken the oft-repeated demand of Barak Brahmaputra unity to a new height.

He also appealed to the people of Barak-Brahmaputra hills and plains to contribute to make Assam one of the front running states of the country.          

Minister of State  for Railways Rajen Gohain while speaking on the occasion gave a snapshot of the all the developmental projects that the railways have been introducing for the development of connectivity of North East.

Rajen Gohain hoped that the new train will be very helpful for students studying in universities, medical colleges and engineering colleges apart from businessmen etc.

Terash Gowalla, MLA-Duliajan, Binod Hazarika, MLA-Chabua, Rituparna Baruah, MLA-Lahowal, Rameswar Teli, MP-Dibrugarh, Kamakhya Prasad Tasha, MP-Jorhat apart from Sanjive Roy, General Manager, N.F.Railway and Prashant Mishra, Divisional Railway Manager-Tinsukia/N.F.Railway were also present in the function held at Dibrugarh station.

The entire function was telecasted live for the people at Silchar station from Dibrugarh. At Silchar Kabindra Purkayastha, Ex-Union Minister, Amar Chand Jain, MLA-Katigora, Mihir Kanti Shome, MLA-Udarbandh and Rajdeep Goala, MLA-Lakhipur apart from other distinguished people were present to witness the occasion.

The regular service of the train will start from 16.04.2018 from Dibrugarh and from Silchar on 17.04.2018. Train number 15944 Dibrugarh – Silchar Express will leave Dibrugarh every Monday at 19-00 hrs to arrive at Silchar at 08-40 hrs on Tuesday.

During return journey the 15943 Silchar – Dibrugarh Express will leave from Silchar every Tuesday at 22-15 hrs to arrive Dibrugarh at 11-20 hrs next day. The train will have AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class and General Second class accommodation available. 

The train will have stoppages at Sibsagar Town, Simaluguri Jn, Mariani Jn, Furkating Jn, Dimapur, Lumding, New Haflong, Badarpur Jn during its journey both ways.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)