DIGARU

Indian Railways has released its “Vision 2024” document recently. The vision envisages to achieve the target of 2024 MT freight loading by the year 2024. To achieve the target; capacity enhancing infrastructure projects e.g. new lines, doubling etc. along with electrification with focus o­n safety has been given specific thrust. o­ngoing projects have been segregated as Super Critical Projects and Critical Projects throughout the country to achieve the target in a time bound manner. Additionally some HDN (high Density Network) & HUN (Highly Utilized Network) routes have been identified for capacity enhancement through speed raising and provision of Automatic Signaling, Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) etc. All these works are targeted to be completed by March 2024. Apart from these, 4 National Projects of total length 294 km falling in NE Region are also likely to be completed by the time.

In NFR 3 HDN and 2 HUN routes have been identified for capacity enhancement through doubling of track by March, 2024. The HDN routes are New Bongaigaon – Rangiya – Agthori, Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri and New Maynaguri – Gumanihat sections. And HUN routes are New Bongaigaon – Goalpara – Kamakhya & Digaru – Hojai sections.  It is also targeted to complete the double line of the Lumding – Furkating section by 2024. Moreover work for doubling of the Katihar - Kumedpur & Katihar - Mukuria sections are also o­n hand. With this entire section of NFR upto Furkating will have double line track by 2024 which will help to further increase train movements towards NE Region.

Electrification work up to Guwahati is targeted to be completed by June, 2021. The work for the section between Guwahati and Lumding is targeted for completion by August, 2021. All other remaining sections o­n NF Railway are targeted for commissioning by March, 2023.

Shri Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways today dedicated the newly constructed double line section between Hojai – Habaipur at Hojai. He also inaugurated newly constructed station buildings and passenger amenities at Hojai, Lanka, Dhalphukhuri and Habaipur. Shri Shiladitya Deb, MLA / Hojai, Shri Sibu Misra, MLA / Lumding, Shri N. K. Prasad, General Mangager (CON) / N.F. Railway, Shri Sanjive Roy, General Mangager / N.F. Railway, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding Division and other senior officials were present o­n the occasion.

20 km long newly-constructed Broad Gauge Double Line between Hojai and Habaipuris part of the Hojai – Lumding Doubling Project which was sanctioned in 2012-13. The revised cost of the entire project is approximately Rs. 615 crore. The new line has the potential to run passenger traffic at 100 kmph. This line will greatly help in removing traffic congestion o­n the section and improve punctuality of trains o­n the crucial Guwahati – Lumding section. The four stations in the section which were also inaugurated today have various provisions for differently-abled persons including ramps and toilets for Divyanjans. Thesestations are also provided with all passenger amenities like waiting halls, foot over bridges, drinking water, covered platform and large passenger circulating areas etc.  Hojai & Lanka stations have been provided new façades (photo enclosed) made with toughened glass and aluminium composite panels giving them a modern aesthetically pleasing look. It may be mentioned here that construction of double line is under progress for the entire stretch from Digaru to Lumding (147 km).

Speaking o­n the occasion, Shri Rajen Gohain said that work of doubling of Digaru to Hojai and from Habaipur to Lumding is going o­n in full swing and would be completed by the end of March 2020. Since 2014, Rs 28905 Cr has been allocated for construction projects which is about twice the fund of Rs 12660 Cr allocated during 2009 to 2014.