TEZPUR, Nov 12 - The people of the northern belt � from Rangiya to Murkongselek via Rangapara junction � are seeking resumption of railway services that have remained suspended since March 2020, when the nationwide lockdown was imposed following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The train travellers in this section, during this period, had to use the meter gauge railway line from Rangiya to Murkongselek as the only means of transportation. People in general and different organizations launched a series of movements demanding a broad gauge line in the area. Fulfilling the long pending demand, the NF Railway also started the work of converting the meter gauge line into a broad gauge line and finally started the service in 2014.
After launching the BG train service, several trains started functioning and the services continued till March, but, since then, the operations have remained suspended due to COVID-19. These trains include the Lachit express, the Donyipolo express, the Dekargaon-Murkongselek passenger train, the Rangiya-Dekargaon passenger train, the Guwahati-Naharlagun Shatabdi express, the Kamakhya-Dekargaon intercity express, the Dibrugarh-Dekargaon intercity express, the Rangiya-Rangapara (north-passenger), the Dekargaon-Rangiya (north-passenger), the Anandvihar-Naharlagun Arunachal express (up), the Naharlagun-Guwahati Shatabdi, the Murkongselek-Rangiya passenger, the Donyipolo express, the Bhalukpong-Dekargaon passenger, the Naharlagun-Anandvihar Arunachal express, the Rangiya-North Rangapara passenger, the Rangiya-North Dekargaon passenger, the Dekargaon-Kamakhya express and the Dekargaon-Dibrugarh intercity.
Social workers of Rangapara town, including the president of the Rangapara development circle, Dilip Chakravarty, urging the NF railway to resume above mentioned train services, argued that if, despite the pandemic, the government can reopen schools, colleges and universities and also hotels and parks, there is no reason why the train services cannot be resumed. It may be mentioned that Chakravarty is the main person behind the fulfilment of long pending demand for a broad gauge line in the area.
He stated that the people of the area in Lakhimpur, Murkongselek and the adjacent areas of Arunachal Pradesh have no other option but these services for travelling and they are now in great discomfort due to the non-availability of these trains.
�For major official works, people of these areas have to go to the capital city Guwahati. Some people cannot afford bus journeys. Therefore, trains are the most convenient means for them. Therefore, it is our fervent appeal to the authority concerned, the Government of Assam and the NF Railway, to resume the services immediately,� the social worker said.
Speaking to this correspondent, senior journalist JK Jha also stated that small vendors, in particular, have been severely affected by the continued suspension of the train services. �People from far-flung areas come to Rangapara with their produce and sell them in the town area to earn their livelihood. These people have suffered a great deal,� Jha said, urging the government to resume the train service.
