NEW DELHI, Nov 18 � Believe it or not, 74 per cent of Mail Express trains in the North-east ran right on time in October. And for those trains running late, N F Railways blamed the law-and-order situation.
Sometimes trains are late due to law-and-order problems, as trains are running in a convoy with advance pilot ahead for security threat from various insurgencies of the North Eastern Region. Besides, late running is also due to alarm chain pulling, agitation, miscreant activities, cattle run over and asset failure among others, said Minister of State for Railways, K H Muniyappa said in a Lok Sabha reply to a question by Ramen Deka.
Penalty drive is launched from time to time to closely monitor the trains by deputing officials on foot plate and remedial action is taken for the factors responsible for loss of punctuality of trains, he said.
Meanwhile, Bogibeel Bridge, a national project, is targeted for completion by March 2014. During the last three years, the Railway Ministry has incurred an expenditure of over Rs 1095 crore including Rs 405 crore last fiscal, the Minister said.
South Bank line from Moranhat to Chalkhowa (44 Km) has been completed. Main bridge substructure and guide bunds have been taken up. For the main superstructure, tender is under finalization, the Minister informed.
The Lumding-Silchar Gauge conversion project is now expected to be completed by December 2013, after slipping many a deadline. Earthwork, major and minor bridges and ballasting etc is in progress. Work is adversely affected due to militancy and law and order problems in the region, poor motorability due to bad conditions of roads and bridges in North Cachar Hills. The Railways have so far incurred and expenditure of Rs 1244.83 crore on the national Project, said the Minister.
About the Rangiya-Murkongselek, the Minister said works of formations, bridges have been taken up. On Rangapara-Murkonselek section, land acquisition, earthwork and bridges taken up with a targeted of completion of March 2013.
The Railway Ministry has cited obstruction by local people for delay in execution of the Azra-Byrnihat Project. State Government desired for change of alignment. Alternative alignment from Tetelia to Byrnihat was examined and found feasible. Final location survey for alternative alignment has been completed and targeted date of completion of the national project is March 2014, said Munniyappa.
