Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday commissioned the 210-km-long lumding-Silchar broad gauge line, a crucial rail link for the Barak valley and the northeastern States of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram.
“It is a historic occasion and Railway employees have made it possible with their dedicated effort. This is life line for the Barak valley region,” Prabhu said after launching the first goods train on the newly opened BG line through video conference from Rail Bhawan. The line was opened for goods traffic and passenger service will be started later on.
Northeastern States are dependent on this line for supply of food grains, fertilisers and petroleum products among other goods. Sanctioned in 1996-67, the lumding-Silchar gauge conversion project was declared national project in 2004.
With the conversion of the BG line, the first goods train carrying 42 wagons of potatoes ran on the line. The Rs3,500-cr line passes through 21 tunnels and has 75 major bridges and 340 minor bridges along the track.
Prabhu said the railway line will very soon lead to a developed north eastern region. In a good gesture, rail minister also announced Rs15 lakh award for the entire team that set up the line. He further said that for the first time Railway Week will be held in the region next month.