Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu launched new train services in Northeast

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 10 August 2015 launched new train services in the Northeast after the completion of North Lakhimpur-Murkongselek and Balipara- Bhalukpong sections into broad-gauge. He launched the service through video-conferencing from New Delhi.

Prabhu described the occasion as a Golden Day in the history of Arunachal Pradesh and flagged off few train on the occasion.

Following trains were flagged off on the occasion:
• 15613/15614 Guwahati-Murkongselek Intercity Express (Daily)
• 55719/55720 Dekargaon-Bhalukpong Passenger (on newly gauge-converted Ballipara-Bhalukpong section)
• Extension of 55429/55430 Rangiya-Rangapara North Passenger upto Dekargaon with New Nos. 55721/55722.
• Extension of 55613/55614 of Dekargaon-Harmuti Passenger upto Murkongselek with new No. 55813/55814
• Increase in frequency of 15903/15904 Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express from Weekly to Bi-weekly announced in Railway Budget 2012-13.

Commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong gauge conversion is the second Broad Gauge connectivity for the state. Earlier in 2015, the Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar was provided connectivity with the National Capital through a direct train.

Background of the Project
These 510 km gauge conversion project was sanctioned in 2002-03 with the budgetary outlay of 3600 crore rupees. However, the project suffered delay mainly due to funds constraints in the past.  

But in 2014-15, a budgetary outlay of 713 crore rupees was provided for this line and an additional balance of 300 crore rupees was provided in 2015-16.

At present, the Union Government in Northeast India has undertaken 13 new lines, 3 gauge conversion and 4 doubling projects with the balance fund of 37000 crore rupees. These projects on completion will augment railway network by 1915 km.

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