First goods train from Lumding to Silchar in Asssam flagged off

First goods train from Lumding to Silchar in the northeastern state of Assam was flagged off by the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu through video conferencing at a function in New Delhi.
Railway Minister also announced a cash award for those involved in the Lumding-Silchar gauge conversion project for completing this challenging project within the deadline.
Key facts

• The train was launched on 210 km Lumding-Silchar section rail line after the gauge conversion was completed at a cost of 3500 crore rupees.
• This line will provide connectivity to Barak valley of Assam with the rest of the country.
• 210 km rail line consist of 28 stations, 4 halt stations, 79 major bridges and 340 minor bridges and 21 tunnels.

After completion of this phase of project, Government is aiming to complete phase 2 project by March 2016 that includes gauge conversion of

• Badarpur-Kumarghat rail line of 118 km.
• Arunachal-Jiribam rail line 50 km.
• Baraigram-Dullabchera rail of 29 km.
• Karimganj-Mahishana rail line of 13.50 km that also includes Karimganj bypass.

Background

• Phase 1 and 2 of gauge conversion of rail line with total length 400 km in this region were sanctioned in 1996-97.
• In 2004, these strategically crucial projects were declared National Projects in order to provide them uninterrupted funding in general budget.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2015