TEZPUR/UDALGURI, Jan 5 � The people of north Assam are delighted as the NF Railway has finally linked the northern part of the State with the rest of the country by resuming train services yesterday after a gap of long four years.
A passenger train service was flagged off yesterday in the newly converted Rangiya-Rangapara and the North Dekargaon section.
It may be mentioned that the train service had been an important means of communication for the people of the northern part of the State, as it connected Murkoksheleng to Rangiya Junction and other parts of the country like Gwahati and New Jalpaiguri.
President of Rangapara Development Circle Dilip Chakrabarty said train service in this section was closed down for the last four years on security grounds, thereby causing immense hardships to the people of the north bank. �Now we are happy as this train service will not only provide communication facility to the people, but will also help in building the economy and the tourism sector of the people of the north bank,� he said.
Immediately upon hearing about resumption of the train service, people from every walk of life flocked to Rangapara town with varieties of musical instruments and created a festive atmosphere at the Rangapara Junction.
Dekargaon and Rangapara junctions wore a festive look yesterday evening as hundreds of people came to celebrate the resumption of the broad gauge train service.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 enthusiastic people of Udalguri town assembled at the Udalguri Railway Station and cheered the arrival of the first BG passenger train today with over 450 passengers. Loud cheers and firecrackers rent the air as the train chugged into the railway station.
On the other hand, according to Udalguri Railway Station sources, a total of 58 tickets worth Rs 825 were sold on the first servcie for Mazbat and Rangapara junction.
