6 Trains from (DMGN)DHAMALGAON to (SRTN)SIBSAGAR TOWN

Giving a major boost to development of the North-Eastern Region, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India, today o­n 19^th September, 2022 inaugurated a Riverfront Passenger Jetty near the Bogibeel Rail cum Road Bridge, constructed by Railways in Dibrugarh. The inauguration programme was attended by Shri Rameswar Teli, Hon’ble Minister of State of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. The General Manager of N. F. Railway Shri Anshul Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager of Tinsukia division Shri Bijaya Kumar Mishra, senior railway officials and officials from Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways were also present at the occasion.

While inaugurating the Riverfront Jetty at Bogibeel, Hon’ble Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal requested railways for similar facilities at Pandu, Jogighopa and Dhubri while praising the successful development of the passenger jetty by N. F. Railway. He thanked the General Manager, N. F. Railway and Divisional Railway Manager, Tinsukia for successful commissioning of the passenger jetty.

The General Manager of N. F. Railway, o­n the occasion announced the plan for development of New Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Railway stations as per world class standard. Dhamalgaon station is also planned to be developed for enhancing tourism at Bogibeel, the General Manager said. He also promised all-round socio-economic development of the region. Bogibeel will be developed as a Gati Shakti unit for handling freight and passenger traffic in a multimodal concept, he added.

The project to develop river site near the Bogibeel Bridge is a major step towards integrated connectivity between railways and waterways under mission ‘Gati Shakti’ launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Promotion of local tourism & culture and mobility of business activities in and around Bogibeel area will also get an impetus. The project will also lead to development of multimodal transport hub for the North-eastern region and will boost tourism prospects in the upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh areas. This will facilitate transportation of goods and reduce travel time and cost for movement of people.

The work for development of the riverfront at Bogibeel was taken up by the N. F. Railway as a result of a meeting held in October last year with the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Inland Water Transport, Govt. of Assam. The entire project is being implemented in downstream of the Bogibeel Bridge site o­n the South bank.

The project will lead cargo movement facilitating waterways transportation of materials further transportation through railways to the destinations. The Riverfront facility developed also has immense potential to evolve as a Tourist Hub. Exciting water sports like boating, cruise available at the jetty will provide bunch of fascination to tourists and general public. Amenities like restaurant, toilet, parking etc. would also benefit to public at large.

Indian Railways organised the closing ceremony of the iconic week of ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ o­n 23^rd July, 2022 at nominated 75 freedom railway stations. Darshana Jardosh, Union State Minister of Railways & Textiles, Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines in presence of Pratima Bhoumik, Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment interacted with freedom fighters and their families members present at 15 railway stations through video conferencing from Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Hon’ble Ministers also felicitated the freedom fighters and their families members present at the centre with Shawls and Mementos. A Bharat Gaurav train namely Divya Kashi Aadi Amavasya Express was flagged off virtually from Madurai station in Tamil Nadu by the Hon’ble Ministers. Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager of N. F. Railway attended the event through video conferencing from NFR Headquarter along with senior officials. The function was live streamed at all the identified 75 stations associated with freedom fighters across Indian Railways with two way communication link.

As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, N. F. Railway celebrated week long ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ from 18^th to 23^rd July, 2022. During this event the nine stations of North-eastern states associated with freedom fighters have been highlighted and illuminated to commemorate 75 years of Independence. Thenine stations of North-eastern states are Gohpur, Raha and Sibsagar Townin Assam; Agartalain Tripura; Jiribam in Manipur; Dimapurin Nagaland ; Bhoirabiin Mizoram; Naharlagunin Arunachal Pradesh ; Mendipathar in Meghalaya.

To honour the freedom fighters and highlight their struggle, weekly event of historic programmes were held at the nine stations. 75 nukkad nataks, 128 patriotic dances, 125 patriotic songs, 6 photo exhibitions and 28 patriotic speeches programme were organised across the nine stations of N. F. Railway. N. F. Railway Cultural Association and Bharat Scouts & Guides along with the locals participated in these programmes.

Sibsagar Town railway station under Tinsukia division was connected through video link to celebrate the closing event. Hon’ble Ministers interacted with the freedom fighters and their family members present at the station through video conference from New Delhi. Freedom fighters Shri Khaniram Mili, Shri Gokul Chandra Gogoi, Shri Puneswar Dowarah, Shri Phatik Kakoti, Shri Phulchandra Gogoi and Shri Dhiren Chetia son of freedom fighter Lt. Shri Kuladhar Chetia were present. Shri Dhiren Chetia while interacting with Hon’ble Minsters recall the days of his father’s freedom movement when his father used to travel by railways to spread the message of freedommovement in every corner of the region.

Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager of N. F. Railway thanked the people of Northeast to make this iconic week celebration a grand success by actively participating in the events at the nine stations of NFR.