AIZAWL, Nov 11 - Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu today said that the Indian Railways would not only be an engine for growth but also a catalyst for social transformation and economic empowerment for the Northeastern region.
Prabhu said this while laying the foundation stone of railway station at Sairang, about 20 km west of here today, in the presence of Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Rtd), Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain and State officials.
Talking about Prime Minister�s vision for the North Eastern States, Prabhu said, �North Eastern States which had been neglected in the past, are now being given all the attention so that the region can be the most sought out region in the country. The region is now, not thought of as a transit route but rather as a destination�, he added.
He said that he would direct railway officials to design railway stations in the region, keeping in mind the local ethos of the place so that it reflects the iconic heritage and ecology of the area.
He pointed to the strategic location and importance of Mizoram and said improving connectivity to Mizoram is critical.
Gohain also spoke of the government�s commitment in connecting all capital cities of North Eastern States by 2020 and expressed satisfaction on the progress of work on the railway project in Mizoram despite the difficult terrain and the prolonged monsoon. He said on completion of the project the railways would provide the much needed all weather transport link to the people of Mizoram.
The Indian Railways project of the broadgauge railway line from Bairabi in Kolasib district, bordering Assam to Sairang near Aizawl has been declared as a project of national importance. Work on the 50.38 km broad gauge railway line connecting Bairabi to Sairang is making good headway and is slated for completion in March 2019.
The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs 2,384.34 crore. This railway line which passes through difficult terrain, dense forests and deep gorges will have 23 tunnels, totalling a length of 9.17 km, the longest being 1.17 km; 38 major bridges, six tall bridges and 98 minor bridges. The tallest bridge will have a pier height of 117 metres. The other stations enroute to Sairang are Bairabi, Hortoki, Kawnpui and Mualkhang.
AIZAWL, Nov 11 - Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu today said that the Indian Railways would not only be an engine for growth but also a catalyst for social transformation and economic empowerment for the Northeastern region.
Prabhu said this while laying the foundation stone of railway station at Sairang, about 20 km west of here today, in the presence of Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Rtd), Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain and State officials.
Talking about Prime Minister�s vision for the North Eastern States, Prabhu said, �North Eastern States which had been neglected in the past, are now being given all the attention so that the region can be the most sought out region in the country. The region is now, not thought of as a transit route but rather as a destination�, he added.
He said that he would direct railway officials to design railway stations in the region, keeping in mind the local ethos of the place so that it reflects the iconic heritage and ecology of the area.
He pointed to the strategic location and importance of Mizoram and said improving connectivity to Mizoram is critical.
Gohain also spoke of the government�s commitment in connecting all capital cities of North Eastern States by 2020 and expressed satisfaction on the progress of work on the railway project in Mizoram despite the difficult terrain and the prolonged monsoon. He said on completion of the project the railways would provide the much needed all weather transport link to the people of Mizoram.
The Indian Railways project of the broadgauge railway line from Bairabi in Kolasib district, bordering Assam to Sairang near Aizawl has been declared as a project of national importance. Work on the 50.38 km broad gauge railway line connecting Bairabi to Sairang is making good headway and is slated for completion in March 2019.
The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs 2,384.34 crore. This railway line which passes through difficult terrain, dense forests and deep gorges will have 23 tunnels, totalling a length of 9.17 km, the longest being 1.17 km; 38 major bridges, six tall bridges and 98 minor bridges. The tallest bridge will have a pier height of 117 metres. The other stations enroute to Sairang are Bairabi, Hortoki, Kawnpui and Mualkhang.
