 "Rail Budget 2013: Bansal connects Arunachal to railway network")
Union Minister for Railways Pawan Kumar Bansal today added the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in the country’s railway map as he announced the laying of the first track from Harmoti in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh.[caption id=“attachment_639899” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Smiles to the Indian Railways from a lady in Arunachal Pradesh. AFP[/caption]
The distance between Harmuti and Naharlagun is 23 km. The track is likely to be commissioned within the next fiscal year.
The addition of Arunachal Pradesh to the rail network is of immense importance given its remoteness and also due to its proximity to China. The introduction of railways in the state is likely to boost India’s defence preparedness in the India-China border.
“Also I am happy to inform that works on the new line railway project to connect state of Manipur are in full swing. We are also fast tracking the gauge conversion works on Lumding-Silchar and Rangia-Murkongselek,” the minister said.