ITANAGAR, Jan 13 - Centre has given the go-ahead for a new railway line from Silapathar (Assam) to Aalo via Bame in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The survey works will begin soon.
This was informed by General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction), NK Prasad, who along with a team of officials called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu here on Thursday and had a detailed discussion on railway connectivity in the State.
Prasad also informed that another new railway line from Assam�s North Lakhimpur to Ziro in Lower Subansiri district has been approved. The Chief Minister requested the Railway officials to immediately start the survey and investigation works while assuring support and cooperation from the State Government.
He was informed that survey for three railway lines � Margherita to Deomali (31 km), Lekhapani to Kharsang (25 km) and Itakhola to Seijosa (18 km) has been completed.
Survey is on progress for other railway lines including � Doomdooma-Namsai-Wakro (96 km), Dangri-Roing (60 km), Deomali-Naharkatia (20 km), Kharsang-Miao-Nampong-New Kamlang Deban (75 km) and Tinsukia-Pasighat via Simalguri-Kanubari (300 km).
On the progress of railway line from Murkongselek to Pasighat (26 km) and Pasighat-Tezu-Parashuram Kund-Rupai, the officials informed that land acquisition process for Murkongselek-Pasighat section has been completed and survey work is on full progress. They also informed that survey work for Pasighat to Rupai via Tezu and Parashuramkund is also in progress.
The meeting also dwelt on Bhalukpong to Tawang railway line that will cut down the existing road distance from 385 km to 165 km when completed. Khandu said once these railway lines become fully functional it will benefit the farmers the most as due to lack of connectivity they are unable to find viable market.