HAILAKANDI, May 28 - The Rail Yatri Adhikar Suraksha Samiti has demanded plying of two passenger trains from Bairabi (Mizoram) to Silchar via Hailakandi daily. Talking to The Assam Tribune today, general secretary of Samiti, Dipankar Dutta said that the Modi government at the Centre has started the broad gauge passenger train in Barak Valley on a priority basis but the dilapidated condition of 105 years old Hailakandi railway station has not changed. Dutta threatened to launch a vigorous movement if the conditions of the station remains the same. They also demanded an enquiry into the �poor quality� of construction work done in the station.
It can be mentioned here that thousands of people irrespective of age gathered at the Hailakandi station on Friday evening to welcome the new BG train from Mizoram�s Bairabi. After two years of mega block, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday flagged off the BG passenger train from Bairabi via Hailakandi. The 112-km-long Silchar-Bairabi track has 10 stations, mostly in Hailakandi district. The stations are Katakhal, Algapur, Hailakandi town, Monacherra, Lalabazar, Mahamadpur, Katlicherra, Manipur Bagan, Jamira and Ramnathpur.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 326.51 crore, started in 2000, the track has 52 curves, the sharpest being seven degrees besides 16 major bridges and 161 minor bridges. The entire track goes through an extremely green beautiful scenery, which may easily attract the tourists. The NFR Railway sources informed that the extension of track up to Sairang near capital city of Aizawl is under process. The 51-km-long track is expected to be completed within 2019, NFR said.
It is worth mentioning here that the people of Mizoram will be mainly benefited through this fast rail connectivity over hills as rice and other food materials may easily be transported to the State. Mizoram annually requires 40,000 tonnes of rice.
On Friday evening, the members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rail Yatri Adhikar Suraksha Samiti welcomed the train with traditional rituals. The dhamail dance of Barak Valley was also performed by the ladies. The president of the Samiti, Samsul Haque Barbhuiya demanded the starting of the Express train for Hailakandi with the rest, mainly for the patients. He also demanded the introduction of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) in Hailakandi station. At present, the single train with 15 compartments leaves Bairabi at 5:30 am for Silchar via Hailakandi and leaves Silchar at 4:45 pm for Bairabi. The Samiti has already sent a memorandum to the NF Railway authorities enlisting their demands, particularly the implementation of the project B grade status of Hailakandi railway station.