TODAY -

Railways - The engine of new growth and development in NE India

G Kishan Reddy *



In 1882, the first locomotive of the Dibru–Sadiya Railway connected the distant tea gardens with the Brahmaputra so that the commodity could eventually reach Kolkata. Over the decades since then, the Railways has helped reduce travel time from Dibrugarh to Kolkata from 15 days to 24 hours. However, even till 2014, the footprint of the Railways in the North East remained primarily restricted to current day Assam.

In the last 8 years, stellar work has been done to ensure that this footprint expands across the North Eastern region and the sheer grit and perseverance in realising this dream needs to be told.

A New Dawn - Transforming North East

Rapid strides in surface transportation are key to the accelerated development of any region and Indian Railways is playing a pivotal role in the North East. Overcoming decades of neglect and under development, the Government has given an unprecedented impetus to connectivity in the region.

Spearheading the efforts, Indian Railways, in the last 9 years has spent over Rs 50,000 crore in the region on building new railway lines, bridges, tunnels etc. and has sanctioned new projects close to Rs 80,000 crore.

This focus on Capital Expenditure has ensured that the Capital Connectivity Project that aims to connect all the North-East State capitals is a reality now. As part of this, India is building the Jiribam–Imphal rail line which has the world’s tallest pier bridge at a height of 141 metres. To ensure timely completion of these projects, the Government of India has provided its complete support and resources.

In comparison to the expenditure of Rs 2,122 crore per year between 2009 and 2014, there has been a 370% increase in average annual budget allocation which now stands at Rs 9,970 crore for the financial year 2022-23.

The topography of North East has always provided the toughest challenge in the region for any infrastructure development. However, a mix of strong political will and the use of state-of-the-art technologies has ensured that even the farthest corners of the region are being covered. 121 new tunnels are currently being constructed and this include the 10.28 Kms long Tunnel Number 12 which is the second longest tunnel in the country.

Creating Jobs – Empowering the Youth

In an effort to promote local businesses and economy, the North East Frontier Railway operated the first parcel cargo express train between Assam and Goa in 2022. Rani Gaidinliu is a much-revered spiritual leader of Nagaland and Manipur. It was a fitting tribute that the first ever freight train chugged into the Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station in Tamenglong district of Manipur.

Those who have visited the North East would vouch for the tremendous tourism potential that the region possesses. Across the North East the captivating scenery, the wildlife and the intangible heritage in the form of its culture and festivals has been a big draw.

In an attempt to allow tourists to savour North East India’s breath-taking natural beauty, the North East Frontier Railways has introduced several state-of-the-art Vistadome coaches. This is expected to increase tourist footfalls which will further increase employment opportunities especially for women and disadvantaged communities such as tribals.

Railways has also been instrumental in creating employment opportunities for the youth in the region. In the last 3 financial years alone, Railways has engaged more than twenty thousand unskilled workers and generated vacancies for skilled work thereby contributing to the changing socio-economic landscape of the region.

Over a period of time, allowing local communities to find employment opportunities closer to their homes will arrest migration to other parts of the country protecting the region’s culture, identity and propagating it for future generations. A socially and financially empowered youth will be an asset to the region and to the Nation.

North East—Gateway to India’s Act East Policy

The 21st Century is often referred to as the Asian Century because of the rise of Asia as a global epicentre of economy, trade and power. India is the engine of this rise.

In 2014, India’s “Look East Policy” that focused on forging better economic relations with India’s Eastern neighbours was transformed into a more robust, result oriented and geo strategically important “Act East Policy”. In various fora Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned that the North East Region would be the gateway to implementing a vibrant Act East Policy.

A glowing example of this policy is the landmark Agartala–Akhaura rail link being built between India and Bangladesh with a cost of more than Rs 1,100 crore. It will not only establish historical rail links with our eastern neighbour but will also usher in a new era of growth and prosperity in the region.

The Ministry for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) and Ministry of External Affairs are co-funding this project. Similarly, the Imphal Railway line will be extended till Moreh and from there, it will connect to Myanmar Railways at Kalay, forming a Trans-Asian Railway.

Furthermore, identifying the geo-strategic importance of the region for National security, the Government has decided to build a rail-road corridor which will connect Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This will include building India’s first ever underwater rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River. The rail-road connectivity being built, will ensure that there is connectivity right up to India’s North Eastern borders and would give us the ability to act with speed and alacrity while responding to National security issues.

In the same vein, in 2017, the vitally strategic Dhola– Sadiya Bridge which connects Northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh was opened for traffic. It is the longest bridge built over water in India and can support the weight of India’s battle tanks and facilitate quick movement of troops to India’s North Eastern borders.

The Indian Railways has employed modern, state-of-the-art technologies to expand its network in the region. In 2018, Asia’s second longest rail-cum-road bridge, the Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Assam, was inaugurated. The bridge will cut down the travel distance between Assam and Arunachal by 80% and will also provide logistical support to Indian Defence Forces. The bridge is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitudes up to 7.0 on the Richter scale and can also be used for landing fighter jets.

Railways–Driving the Naya North East

Traditionally, the majestic Himalayas and the mighty Brahmaputra have influenced the life of nearly every citizen in North East. Now Railways has joined that list as it spreads its operations to different corners of the region. Growth and development in the region will contribute towards the goal of India becoming a US $5 trillion economy.

Prime Minister Modi had said that if India had to be prosperous, then development of North-East will need to be a priority and Railways is definitely one of the engines spurring this economic growth. Nine years later, the vision of the Prime Minister has been converted into a reality in the North-East region and Indian Railways is playing a pre-eminent role in this journey of transformation.


* G Kishan Reddy wrote this article for PIB which was published at The Sangai Express
The writer is Union Minister of DoNER, Tourism, and Culture
This article was webcasted on March 07 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Floral Tribute: 4 Meetei killed : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023 :: News Timeline
  • Licypriya Kangujam meets Pope Francis
  • Violence unlikely to cease
  • Landscape: Phuba Thapham Village : Gallery
  • Alleged commencement of genocide campaign
  • World Environment Day 2023
  • Poppy plantation & narco terrorism
  • How to become a cyber security expert
  • No end in sight to violence
  • Time to validate reservation in health sector
  • Women CSOs meet Amit Shah : Gallery
  • Who is the Troublemaker in Manipur ?
  • Global Manipur Federation Established
  • Amit Shah Ji made it very clear
  • Beekeeping for a successful sweet revolution
  • Upward tick of body bags
  • Beginning of Life in the UK #5
  • Joseph's Son Premiere @Shanghai Film Fest
  • Memorandum to Union Home Minister
  • India's Act East Policy and its Influence on NE
  • Amit Shah plans to bring violence to an end
  • Women in civil services (Administrative)
  • High expectation, minimal crisis measures
  • A Voice From Khurkhul
  • Has appeasement towards Kuki backfired ?
  • Roaring through the Frontier
  • 3rd June is World Bicycle Day
  • Witnessing the resurgence
  • Setting the narratives right
  • Pinning hope on judicial probe to end crisis
  • Human-chain @ Keishampat #1 : Gallery
  • Wanted : The Idea of Manipur
  • Post of DGP Manipur
  • Fallout a legacy of colonial British rule #2
  • Workshop: Integration of Communication
  • Union Home Minister's visit is a step too late
  • Manipur in flames since one month
  • Random use of firearms debunks communal
  • Amit Shah visit to Manipur [31 May] : Gallery
  • Fallout a legacy of colonial British rule #1
  • Day 3 report of Amit Shah's visit
  • 8000 surrender since 2014; Manipur burning
  • Breast Cancer! What all you need to know
  • No magic formula spelt out
  • Armed attacks corroborate irrelevance of ST
  • Singju Fest @Heingang #2 : Gallery
  • June Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • Memorandum to Union Home Minister
  • Condemned Vandal, Media Misinformation
  • The voice of India's traditional handlooms
  • Amit Shah in town
  • Task cut out for Centre to prevent battle
  • A family of painters & their works
  • Peace first - Solution next
  • Concern over ongoing ethnic violence
  • Condemnation of Act by Armed Militants
  • Nation building through Jan Bhagidari
  • Playing the victim card
  • Internet ban serving no real purpose
  • Relief camp @ Khundrakpam #2 : Gallery
  • How Nehru accepted ... a religious head
  • Observation of present unrest in Manipur #2
  • When rage hijacks sanity
  • Why internationationalisation of education
  • A case of Nero fiddled while Rome burnt ?
  • Beginning of Life in the UK #4
  • The Good Old Days :: Poem
  • Status of Mithun farming in NE
  • Beauty essentials for your holiday
  • Chaudhary Charan: The Voice of Rural India
  • Manipur crisis on centre's menu, at last
  • Curfew : Night time in Imphal : Gallery
  • Manipur turmoil - Dynamics and misgivings
  • Debate on Art 371-C, new facet to violence
  • Sausage as a value added product
  • Gender & anti-corruption : G-20 Agenda
  • Waiting for the Union Home Minister
  • Insecurity among MLAs as violence continues
  • Advanced INA Headquarters, Moirang #2
  • Mt. Khangchendzonga and me
  • Awakening call to our leaders :: Poem
  • The unseen costs of Internet shutdown
  • An open letter to PM Narendra Modi
  • Best choice of career options after 12th Arts
  • Time to think for the children
  • Gunmen loose in foothill, military in city
  • Sit-in-Protest [21 May] : Gallery
  • Manipur situation mentioned at UN
  • Observation of present unrest in Manipur #1
  • Man, woman, sex, sexuality and the truth
  • Japanese koi fish: Farming in Manipur
  • Khurakki Eena Lai Saba
  • Time to tilt the balance
  • The Story of Leishemba : Fungga Wari #2
  • Press Meet at Dispur Press Club, Guwahati
  • Condemns assault on media by armed forces
  • What/who is tearing Manipur apart ?
  • The fast & ugly spread on social media
  • Separate admin call: Acceptable to the Nagas?
  • Task for men in uniform to restore peace
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Science
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Arts
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Commerce
  • Why should Meitei be included in ST list?
  • Books are our Best Friends
  • Forced peace not viable line
  • Expansionism agenda at play
  • Sit-in-Protest @ Ima Keithel : Gallery
  • International Tea Day : Jimli
  • CSO meet at Manipuri Basti, Guwahati
  • History - A New Perspective :: Poem
  • Posers to New Delhi and Imphal
  • Beginning of Life in the UK #3
  • Silent murmurs longing for answers
  • Perturbed about the future of Manipur
  • Take immediate action to bring normalcy
  • Can Myanmar-B'desh cooperate in disaster
  • Reopen national highways before it's too late
  • Tree's greatest strength lie in its roots
  • Press Conference at Press Club of India
  • Solidarity meet in support of women wrestlers
  • Management of Fall Armyworm
  • Benefit & drawback of Taka-Rupee exchange
  • Time to set right the narrative
  • Sit-in-Protest in Imphal : Gallery
  • Writer of 'CCpur da khundariba Meetei sing'
  • Landing in Sikkim, 1983
  • Request for lifting ban on Internet
  • Farm income through efficient farm mgmt #2
  • Condemns rape of a minor girl in Assam
  • SoO pact under scanner
  • Price of cooked up stories & hatred
  • Angamba & Samuel: Friendship beyond riot
  • Supreme Court ruling on Manipur High Court
  • Bijou Thangjam in Kannada film: Chilli Chicken
  • Do you want a "New Nagaland" ?
  • Our nurses, our future
  • Attempt to seize ancestral Meetei land
  • Significant stand of TNL
  • Relief camp @ Khundrakpam #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #2: Gallery
  • Instigating violence for narrow political gain
  • Agri-Tourism: Approach to rural development
  • Manipur on the boil since May 3
  • Time for introspection on communal riot
  • Ground assessment to expose riot plotters
  • Relief camp @ Moirang #2 : Gallery
  • Appeal to people who are blocking highway
  • Plantation drive of medicinal plants
  • People spirit to help each other shone bright
  • Useful tips for healthy teeth & a happy smile
  • Suspension of internet
  • Violence subsides, tension persists
  • The Story of Leishemba : Fungga Wari #1
  • Mother's Day calls for Peace
  • Farm income through efficient farm mgmt #1
  • Nari Shakti : Empowering the Nation
  • From streets to political corridor
  • Onus on SF to justify normalcy claims
  • Beginning of Life in the UK #2
  • Impact of Internet Ban on Students
  • An open letter to citizens of Manipur
  • Help Rebuild Manipur
  • Nutrition garden for food security
  • Condemns lack of efforts by state govt
  • Curtain Story
  • Shirui Lily Fest 2022 #2 : Gallery
  • The only way forward is peaceful coexistence
  • Advancing Indo-Naga peace process
  • The courage to be 'yourself'
  • Mass culturing technique of nematode
  • 3 decades of Panchayati Raj Institutions
  • Blacking out stand of 10 MLAs
  • Need to present a strong case
  • Bye to cashless transactions for now
  • Accelerate probe into communal clash
  • Mithingai Amagi Meeshi @ Drama : Gallery
  • Fight to end corporate capture of healthcare
  • Mother to all :: Poem
  • International Nurses Day - 12 May
  • NPF condemns same sex Marriage: Azo
  • Commercialized artificial insemination in pig
  • Not all in designated camps
  • Relief camp @ Moirang #1 : Gallery
  • Mass gathering for peace & harmony at Pune
  • Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind :: Rvw
  • 'Demographic threat' to indigenous inhabitant
  • Galvanising Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
  • Uneasy calm as state limps back to normalcy
  • Probe inevitable to expose mayhem instigator
  • Time to focus on rehabilitation
  • Spare women and children, medical
  • Kangkum Village in Kamjong : Gallery
  • Appeal to all the people of Manipur
  • Genesis of Manipur crisis
  • Of people and communities
  • Scholarship for civil service aspirants
  • Understanding IES/ISS Examinations
  • Catalyst & solutions to ethnic clashes
  • Appeal to restore normalcy in Manipur
  • We need groundwater in Manipur
  • Just a little courage for the word 'No'
  • Working journalist movement
  • To SC against HC directive
  • 'Peace Appeal' by Women of Northeast
  • Celebrities urge national media not to publish...
  • To our Brothers and Sisters in Manipur
  • Calling for peace and relief
  • Importance of post harvest technology
  • Watermelon a Summer fruit
  • From May 3, 1993 to the present
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline
  • Beginning of Life in the UK #1
  • Ishanou : Film recognised as World Classic
  • Meghalaya government launches helpline
  • Manipur & NE - PM's favourite on MKB
  • Comfort Zone and Days of Yore :: Poem
  • Singiri Kona, the solitude Narasimha Temple
  • Advanced INA Headquarters, Moirang #1
  • Candle light vigil at Delhi
  • Restore calm & prevent further escalation
  • Appeal to give up violence
  • Refrain from violence
  • How to go for quick revision for JEE Advanced
  • It is not Tribals Vs Meiteis
  • MANITEX @ Nilakuthi #5 : Gallery
  • Lui-ngai-ni@ Chandel #2 : Gallery
  • Khongjom Day @ Khebaching : Gallery
  • 100th Episode of 'Maan Ki Baat' : Gallery
  • Id-ul-Fitr @ Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • Mangka tour of Switzerland & France : Gallery
  • Houses @ Thalon, Tamenglong #2 : Gallery
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar for 2023