Guwahati, Feb 6 (UNI) International connectivity through railways under Act East Policy has been given thrust in budgetary allocation for Northeast Frontier Railway(NFR) for the next fiscal, NFR general manager Anshul Gupta said here today.
Addressing a press conference, Gupta said, “Focus is on international connectivity particularly with Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar as per Act East Policy of our government which will prove to be beneficial for large scale economic development of entire North East region.”
He informed that train connectivity to Bangladesh has already started from three points.
A couple of railway stations under Katihar division of the NFR are working as serving stations for Nepal.
In case of Myanmar, a railway track from Moreh in Manipur border
is being envisaged, he added.
“We have set a target of 2023-24 for completing the international connectivity projects,” Gupta added.
On overall budgetary allocation for NFR for 2021-22, he said the amount is 238 pc more than the average yearly allocation during the period from 2009-14 (Rs 3383 crore per year).
The GM informed that electrification up to Guwahati is expected to be completed by March this year, while the balance portion of NFR is targeted for completion by March 2024.
This year’s budget has put the thrust mainly on infrastructure development, speed augmentation of trains, development of terminal facilities, improvement of amenities for passengers and other users, construction of road overbridges/road underbridges for the safety of road users, and modernization of the signalling system for enhancement of safety and speed.
UNI SG RN