Work on Harmuti-Itanagar railway line right on track

Governor makes aerial survey, Railways likely to take over from Nov-end

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 28: Papum Pare deputy commissioner Bidol Tayeng today informed that the land acquisition process for the 11.45 km railway line from Harmuti in Assam to Naharlagan would be completed by the end of this month, thereby paving the way for the Indian Railways to start its construction. He said the district administration is expediting the process to handover the 10 km length of land to NF Railway by November-end.

Accompanying Governor Gen (Rtd) J J Singh on an aerial survey of the project site today, Tayeng informed that earth filling works for the broad-gauge railway track are likely to be completed before onset of the next monsoon, which is tentatively by April 2010 next.

He said the seven-pillar 270-metre-long concrete bridge over River Dikrong is also likely to be completed within this winter. The bridge would be the biggest on the proposed route that would connect Doimukh with the State capital. The total length of the first phase railway line is about 11.45KM.

Governor Singh, who is personally monitoring all the projects being implemented under the special PM package for the State, today aerially surveyed the progress on ground of the railway line, besides the site earmarked for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Karsingsa. Accompanied by MLAs Nabam Rebia (Doimukh) and Techi Kaso (Itanagar), Tayeng and Civil Aviation assistant director Toko Audil, Singh took stock of the excavation and earth filling works along the proposed broad gauge railway line from Gumto to Borum, which is going on full swing.

The team flew over Borum, Tarajuli, Tigdo, Yupia, Doimukh, Emchi, Amba and Gumto villages under Doimukh division, the route of the railway line, besides the proposed site of the Greenfield airport.

Interacting with the team later, Singh emphasized timely completion of the railway project. He directed the deputy commissioner to remain in touch with the Railway authorities and get the construction work expedited. The Governor also stressed the need to keep the options open for the proposed board gauge line to reach Itanagar in the second phase of the project.

“It should be made clear that the line is not supposed to end at Naharlagan,” he added. THE SENTINEL