Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday laid the foundation stone of a 90.5km Broad Gauge (BG) line connecting Dhansiri-Zubza in Nagaland.
The new BG line will break off from the Dhansiri rail station in Assam's Karbi-Anglong and pass over the Dhansiri River before covering a distance of less than 20 km through the plains of Dhansiripar sub-division, snaking up the hills from Shoxuvi to culminate at Zubza in Kohima district.
"More than geography, it's about bringing together different aspirations of the people and to connect the capital of Nagaland to Delhi," Prabhu said at the foundation-laying ceremony at Dimapur station.
Prabhu said the government is in the process of ensuring development of northeast states at a faster pace.
Admitting that the northeast has lacked development for too long, the Railway Minister assured that the project would be completed on time.
He also said that the railways will use high-end technology for monitoring the project.
"A comprehensive plan on how to meet the aspirations of local people of northeast region will be finalised and soon it will be presented to all the chief ministers," Prabhu said.
Referring to a package to promote tourism in the northeast states, including Sikkim, Prabhu assured that the railways would provide the infrastructure which can create wealth in the region.
Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya regretted that despite abundance of natural beauty and resources, the state does not have proper connectivity.
Harping on the potentials of handloom, handicraft, agriculture and horticulture, Acharya said connectivity could bring vibrancy to the economy of the state.
Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said the new railway project in the state would connect the state's commercial capital Dimapur with the state capital Kohima.
Zeliang said the railway line would greatly ease the movement of goods and passengers.
He assured that the state government would do its bit in assisting smooth implementation of the project.
The Chief Minister also apprised the Railway Minister on the bigger railway project initiated for Nagaland to run from Dimapur to Tizit.
He requested the Railway Minister to revive the abandoned Dhansiri-Karong railway project.
Zeliang made an appeal to the people of Nagaland, especially the land owners, to cooperate with the railways, and assist the workers.
--IANS
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