HARMUTI

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has undertaken many development, infrastructural works in Assam to boost tourism and improve connectivity. Assam has seen major development works in Railway sector from 2014-22.

The entire Railway network in Assam has been converted to a broad gauge network in 2014-19 thereby eliminating all metre gauge railway lines in Assam. To enhance connectivity, Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh and Bairabi in Mizoram got connected by broad gauge line to Harmuti and Katakhal in Assam respectively. First ever train connectivity was established with Meghalaya when Dudhnoi in Assam got connected by broad gauge line to Mendipathar in Meghalaya in 2014. During the period from 2014-22, 149 km of new broad gauge lines commissioned in Assam. Out of this 149 km, 82.84 km was part of 289 km long Maynaguri – Jogighopa New Line Project. This project provides an alternative link to the landlocked state of Assam and six other NE states and ensures uninterrupted connectivity. Doubling of broad gauge line between New Bongaigaon - Abhayapuri, Pancharatna - Dudhnoi and Digaru - Lumding were achieved during 2014-22.

As part of the Ministry of Railways policy for 100% electrification, 434 km of electrification works has been completed in Assam. Another 825 km is targeted to be commissioned by 2022-23. Electrification from Kamakhya to Chaparmukh has been completed. Electrification up to Dibrugarh via Lumding is also in progress. As a part of NFR’s Go-Green mission all stations in Assam have been provided with 100% LED lights during 2014-22.

During the period 2014-22, NFR has provided several new amenities in stations and trains from Assam. 64 Foot over Bridges, 220 Divyang toilets, 59 toilets, 25 new platforms, 28 lifts and 17 escalators were constructed at different stations over Assam during 2014-22. 12 New station buildings have also been inaugurated at Pancharatna, Goalpara town, Krishnai, Dudhnoi, Chaparmukh, Thekeraguri, Dharamtul, Aujuri, Jagiroad, Dhansiri, Chapar, Bechimari stations during 2021-22. High speed LHB coaches with modern amenities were introduced in 49 trains. Mechanised cleaning of coaches has been introduced in all trains originating from Assam. All trains originating from Assam have been fitted with environment friendly bio-toilets. Free Wi-Fi were provided at 218 stations in Assam. CCTV monitoring systems were provided at 15 stations during 2014-22 for enhanced security of Railway property and passengers.

In order to transform Trade and Tourism in North East region through Rail connectivity and to promote cultural heritage of the Northeast; two more Vistadome train services were flagged off o­n 19^th December, 2021. The Vistadome train services between Guwahati - Naharlagun and Naharlagun – Tinsukia were flagged off by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma at Guwahati Railway Station, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu at Naharlagun station and Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State of Railways & Textiles at Guwahati Railway Station. Both the locations were connected via video link. At Guwahati, Shri Chandra Mohan Patowary, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Assam; Shri Bimal Bora, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs, Power and Tourism, Govt. of Assam, Smt. Queen Oja, Hon’ble MP (Lok Sabha) and Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager of N. F. Railway were present. At Naharlagun station, Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha) Shri Nabam Rebia and Hon’ble MLA Shri Techi Kaso were also present. Moreover, existing Vistadome service between Guwahati and New Haflong have been decided to extend up to Badarpur to fulfil the demand of tourists.

The Vistadome coaches are equipped with state of the art glass windows and all glass roofs for providing view of the open sky, mountains, tunnels, bridges, hills, tea gardens and lush green forests to the tourists. It will also have observation lounges for the purpose of site seeing. The rotational seats of the coach are designed to provide added comfort to passengers. Coaches are also provided with digital entertainment system and Wi-Fi facilities. Tourist can enjoy the entire travel by enjoying infotainments like movies, music videos etc. Wi-Fi based passenger information system is also provided. For safety of passenger, CCTV cameras and Fire Alarm System are also installed.

The regular services of Train No. 12087/12088 Naharlagun – Guwahati – Naharlagun Shatabdi Express with Vistadome coach resumed w.e.f. 20-12-2021. The train runs three days a week leaving from Naharlagun o­n every Monday, Tuesday and Friday and from Guwahati o­n every Monday, Thursday and Sunday. The train departs from Naharlagun at 06-45 hours to reach Guwahati at 12-30 hours and from Guwahati at 13-45 hours to reach Naharlagun at 19-45 hours. The train covers a distance of 343 Kms and have stoppages at Harmuti, Viswanath Charali, Rangapara North, New Misamari, Udalguri, Tangla and Rangiya stations.

           The regular services of 15907/15908 Tinsukia – Naharlagun – Tinsukia Vistadome Express resumed w.e.f. 21-12-2021. The train runs five days a week leaving from Tinsukia o­n every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and leaving from Naharlagun o­n every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The train departs from Tinsukia at 16-00 hours to reach Naharlagun at 21-45 hours and from Naharlagun at 05-30 hours to reach Tinsukia at 10-40 hours. The train covers a distance of 225 Kms and have stoppages at New Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Bordoloni, Gogamukh, Boginadi, North Lakhimpur and Harmuti stations.

           The existing services of Train No. 15888/15887 Guwahati – New Haflong – Guwahati have been extended to run up to Badarpur w.e.f. 22-12-2021. The Train No. 15888/15887 Guwahati – Badarpur – Guwahati departs from Guwahati at 06-45 hours to reach Badarpur at 14-20 hours and from Badarpur at 15-15 hours to reach Guwahati at 22-45 hours. The train covers a distance of 341 Kms and have stoppages at Maibong, New Haflong and Jatinga Lumpur stations.

   Guwahati – Naharlagun route is surrounded by the tea gardens and tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty of Himalayan range in north and green covers of tea gardens o­n either side of the track. Vistadome services from Naharlagun will provide breath-taking views of Brahmaputra River, the tea gardens, rain forests along the track and views of mountains of Himalayan range. The route also covers historic cities of Assam. Tourism sectors of this area will reap the benefits from these new services.