Agencies
GUWAHATI, APRIL 14
Union Railway minister, Suresh Prabhu on Monday vetted the announcement of the Union Defence minister Manohar Parrikar that India will soon set up a railway station in Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China border. Recently Union Defence minister Manohar Parrikar reportedly said that Indian Railways will soon set up a station in Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China border. "A draft of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) is ready and will be signed soon,"
Prabhu who was in Guwahati said, "When minister defence says something, he says with all the responsibility. We will elaborate it at the right time," Prabhu told media persons on the sidelines of a railway function in IIT Guwahati.
Prabhu said that India needs to take to new strategy for railways. Railways played big role in the development of China's economy.
"The per capita income of China country is now five times than that of India, and this is due to railways. We have to come out of the 'chalta hai' mindset. There is need to have re look at talents of railways and this will have positive developments on our economy."
He added that Railways will have to play crucial role in country's development .The railway minister said all the state capital of Northeast India will be linked with railway line in next five years.
" As many as 11 railway projects have been declared National Projects .In 2014-15 around Rs 5200 crore was provided for network expansion in Northeast. In 2015-16 outlay of over Rs 5300 crore has been provided for this purpose."
Lauding railways for gauge conversion works from Lumding to Silchar in Barak valley before the stipulated time, Prabhu said that this is motivating for the whole country. "If we can do it in northeast, we can also do it anywhere in the country.
Prabhu met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Gogoi requested Railway Minister Prabhu to increase the speed of long distance trains fromAssam and to improve the facilities in these trains.
The Union Minister while agreeing to it said the Ministry of Railway would work upon it at the earliest.
Gogoi urged Prabhu to modernise the Guwahati railway station and to upgrade the Kamakhya Railway Station to cater to the growing rush of passengers and pilgrims.
Prabhu assured Gogoi that he would initiate necessary measures for modernisation and upgradation of both the stations.
Union Railway Minister suggested that the Government of Assam could tie up with the Indian Railway for forming a Joint Venture Company for development of railway stations and tourist circuits, including the Lumding-Badarpur section.
Prabhu said that the Railways would come up with a world class terminal at north bank of Guwahati through PPP mode.
Gogoi urged Prabhu to expedite the construction of the Bogibeel bridge and for a parallel rail bridge near the existing Saraighat rail bridge owing to increase in the volume of goods traffic.
