Reams have been written on the lack of rail connectivity but all that is changing as rail network is expanding and changing not just the rail but the social, political and economic landscape of the North Eastern region
T P VENU
The only way to get to the North eastern states from the mainland was through the ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor- a 21 km wide road corridor at Siliguri for as long as one can remember and the reason given for not developing a rail network to the proverbial seven sisters, now eight states was the mountainous terrain and the undulating land.
Floods, landslides, tunnels and bombing were the reasons cited but in the last ten years, there has been considerable progress and what did not happen in a hundred years is taking place now.
North East India is seen as a the new growth engine of India and all stake holders beginning with the Railway Board and the central government have realized the need to expand the rail connectivity to all the state capitals. Thanks to the centre’s Look East Policy that focuses on all-round development of the northeast region, for the first time in post-independent India there is a concerted effort to develop rail, road and air connectivity to the region.
In the past it would take two-three days for people from far-flung areas to reach Kolkata, now the travel time would be cut short by 30 plus hours. Speaking to Indiglobal Media Network, Zimik Ngahorngam, 34, a resident of Kalhang, a village in the north of Ukhrul district of Manipur says, “It takes 2-3 days for people from the village to reach Kolkata and beyond. There is talk of railway lines and the nearest railway station for us is Dimapur. Work is at slow pace, for instance the line from Kohima to Dimapur took six years.
Once all the states have rail connectivity, the lives of people will change drastically for the better.” Presently, people from almost all the north eastern states go to Kolkata via Guwahati. Comfort too is given importance as Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches have been introduced in 40 pairs of trains from the northeast.
There are close to two dozen rail projects in various stages of completion in the region (See Box) with funds to the tune of Rs 51,787 crore already allotted. According to estimates, Rs 95,261.65 crore is expected in the region to complete 21 projects. The terrain is the biggest hurdle for infrastructure projects.
In June, at least six people were killed and several others feared missing after a massive landslide hit Tupul Railway Station in Manipur’s Noney district. Between 2014 and 2022, a total of 893.82 km of track has been converted to broad gauge and 386.84 km new lines added. The winds of change are blowing in the north eastern part of the country. The North East’s time has come after all.