The First Rail Line in Arunachal Pradesh Operational In 2014
The First Rail Line in Arunachal Pradesh Operational In 2014
Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express are going to now run in Arunachal Pradesh. In good news for this North Eastern state of India, the first rail line of this state was laid in recent times. Residents of this state’s capital Itanagar witnessed the first train ride in this state on April 7, 2014. While this is positive news for India, a big question is why this North Eastern state is getting its first rail line so late in the day. So many years have passed since India’s independence and North Eastern states remain isolated and remote due to lack of connectivity and virtually no rail lines. Rail coverage in many of these states is virtually nil and India has a long way to go when it comes to the development of its North Eastern regions.
The railway line project of the Indian Railways for laying lines in Arunachal Pradesh was to become operational in 2011. Though it missed its targets, the motto of Indian Railways now seems to be better late than never. The project which was initially estimated to cost 156 crore was re-estimated at 317.33 crore by the Railway Board in 2009. A trial run on the line from Harmutty to Naharlagun on January 14, 2013 was successful. A high level team led by the Planning Commission Member (North East and Power) on January 17th in 2013.
A special focus on North East is needed if India has to progress and achieve good standards of growth and development. We can have the best infrastructure in other parts of the country, but if the North Eastern states are neglected, then an important part of our nation is being sidelined. We need to initiate better growth and development of the North Eastern region if we want all our citizens to access the benefits of progress and prosperity.
Uniform growth and development is the only way to achieve superpower status. Moreover, development of the North East will also benefit other regions of the nation. North Eastern states are rich in natural resources and if they are given support, they can grow and develop to a point where capitals of these states can compete with metros when it comes to living standards. Most Indian metro cities are concentrated in well developed states. North Eastern states need to be nurtured and developed so that they can attain their rightful place in national priorities for growth and progress.
Rajdhani Express will be introduced between Itanagar and New Delhi in a phased manner. This can boost trade and commerce in the state. Quick and cheap transportation facilities will also benefit the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh. China has been scoring when it comes to the development of its western frontiers. We should take similar initiatives for the North East.
Indian Railways has been focusing on prioritizing rail connectivity to remote and border areas. But this is something that should have been on the agenda of governments since the 1990s.
Why has it taken so long for the political leadership to wake up to the demands of the challenges confronting North Eastern nations? Successive governments over the years have never explored the possibility of establishing the railway lines in North Eastern states. The argument had been that the areas were hilly, remote and tough to manage. When the Konkan Railway lines were laid, a positive step was taken. It was realized that even terrains with tough topography can prove to be accessible through railways.
In more good news for the North Eastern states and the rest of India, a new railway line project to connect different parts of Manipur to other areas is also progressing rapidly. Other projects for connecting inaccessible areas such as Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line and the Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch line are also on their way once approval has been obtained.
On April 7th, 2014, a train entered Naharlagun for the first time, making the capital of this North Eastern state the second among 8 states in this region to find a place on the railway map of our nation. India’s North Eastern states need to have more access to better opportunities and establishing rail lines here is only the first step. More needs to be done for our North Eastern states so that India can be united in its progress and growth.
