Rail Budget: Extension to North East a priority, Meghalaya and Arunachal on rail map soon

The Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today presented the Interim railway budget 2014, in which he highlighted the achievements of the sector for the past few years, and also laid out his plan for future development. Of the achievements, Kharge said that Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya are set to come on the rail map as part of extension of the rail network in North Eastern states. [caption id=“attachment_1384211” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] “Railways is now on course to convert the strategically important 510 km long Rangiya - Murkongselek Metre Gauge line into Broad Gauge within this financial year,” he said. The Capital of Arunanchal Pradesh would soon be on rail map in this financial year, as Harmuti-Naharlagun newline is expected to be commissioned shortly. Meghalaya is also all set to come on the Railway map in this financial year, as Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar newline is getting completed by March 2014