Silchar-Lumding broadgauge line by 2010

CORRESPONDENT BADARPUR, Nov 28 – The construction of the broadgauge line from Silchar-Badarpur-Lumding hill section is on in full swing. Although there are still many obstacles prevailing, but the NF Railway authority recently assured that work on the 76-km railway line from Silchar to New Harangajao, via Badarpur junction is progressing very swiftly and if this speed of work is maintained then the line will be completed by March 2010 positively.

Railway sources said in the 64-km stretch earth-filling work has already been completed. In this route, there will be 12 railway stations. Among these 12 railway stations, the construction works of five railway stations, viz Salchapra, Arunachal, Katakhal, Sukritipur and Chandranathpur have already been completed. In Silchar-Badarpur-New Harangajao section there will be four tunnels, among which one tunnel between Bandarkhal and Ditekchara, and another tunnel between Damchara and Bandarkhal have already been completed. The remaining two tunnels in this route will be completed within March 2009. Sources also said that in Silchar-Badarpur-New Harangajao BG section there will be a total of 46 bridges, out of which, two bridges will be constructed on the road. Out of the 46 bridges, the construction works of sub-structure of 13 girders have been completed speeding the construction work of Barak bridge of Badarpur. Sources informed that the work has made substantial progress. In this connection, the steel fabrication work of the bridge is going on in full swing in Kolkata, at present.

The NF Railway authority has also informed that in the 17 km railway route between Silchar and Badarpur, works have been fully completed. The railway authority also stated under the BG project, a goods terminus at Salchapra and a diesel shed at Badarpur, alongwith arrangements of supervising the railway coaches at Silchar will be set up. Sources said that in Silchar-Badarpur-Harangajao route, ten kilometres are under North Cachar district, and remaining 66 Karimganj district. It is to be noted here that although the railway authority has given information of the progress of BG project in Barak Valley, but they could not give any information of the position and condition of the works in North Cachar hill which is vitally essential for the speedy completion of Lumding-Badarpur hill section.

Meanwhile, an urgent official meeting was held at Silchar on Thursday, under the presidentship of the deputy commissioner of Cachar, Gautam Ganguly, regarding the progress of Lumding-Badarpur-Silchar BG project. The meeting was attended by deputy chief engineer (construction) SP Desmukh, two ADCs of Cachar. Bhannisikha Dutta, and HA Laskar, DIPRO, deputy director of Barak Valley zone, Haran Dey, CRPF and RPF officials and other high railway officials. The meeting stressed upon the speedy implementation of BG construction works as early as possible. In the meeting, the Cachar district administration has also strongly urged the railway authority for immediate resumption of passenger train service of night section, in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, without any delay in the greater interest of the people.

The Pradesh Yuva Congress Committee, Karimganj district committee has also expressed deep concern over suspension of the night service in the hill section. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister and Union Railway Minister the YCC has strongly urged them for immediate resumption of the passenger train service.source: assam tribune