GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is constructing a second railway line from New Bongaigaon to Guwahati via Goalpara Town beside the existing single line. Once completed, it would provide faster alternative double line route between New Bongaigaon and Kamakhya.
“This will ease out traffic in the already saturated main line between New Bongaigaon and Kamakhya. After commissioning of this doubling project, punctuality of passenger trains will also get a boost. Movement of men and material in case of any disaster or natural calamity will be more expeditious,” said Subhanan Chanda, Chief Public Relation Officer of NF Railway.
Nearly 50% of the project work has already been completed with an expenditure of about Rs.1095 crores. A distance of 17.46 km of the project has already been commissioned for train operation across Assam. After commissioning of the entire project this project will augment the line capacity to run more passenger and freight trains and enable more traffic blocks for better asset maintenance which will increase safety and reliability of the system.
This 176 km long new line was sanctioned on September 2016 at an anticipated cost of about Rs. 2,950 crores. The work of the project is reportedly going on in full swing with adequate allocation of fund. Last year an amount of Rs. 450 crores was allocated for the project.
Notably, this year’s budget has allocated an amount of Rs. 610 crores. As such 379 minor and 56 major bridges with 61 Road Under Bridge/Limited Height Subway are to be constructed in Assam under this 176 km long project. 135.60 lakh kms of earthwork will also be done along with construction of 16 station buildings.
Work up to Bamunigaon station is expected to get over by December 2021, the Bamunigaon – Azara section is targeted for commissioning by February 2022, finally reaching Kamakhya by March 2023.