Gao demands early execution of railway projects

Itanagar, Nov 02 (UNI) Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao has demanded early construction of the 22 km Harmutty-Itanagar railway line to link the state with rest of the country.

Speaking at the 87th Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) meeting at Guwahati yesterday, the MP demanded explanation from the North East Frontier Railway (NEFR) about the delay in starting the project despite go ahead signal from the Railway Board and clearance from the state government, official sources said here today.

He also expressed concern over the slow progress of the 123-km Rangiya-Mukingselek broad gauge project and demanded immediate construction of the 30-km rail line from Murkongselek to Pasighat in East Siang district.

Pointing out that only 15 per cent survey work for construction of the 80-km rail line from Rupai to Parsuram Kund was completed, Mr Gao said the NEFR should accelerate the survey work.

''Rail link to Arunachal would not only serve the defence strategic point of view but also help accelerate development activities in the field of trade and commerce, besides harnessing the hydro power potentials of the state,'' the MP said.

He also demanded the execution of two major railway projects connecting Dhola (Assam) to Roing in Arunachal's Dibang Valley district via Sadia and Shantipur and from Margherita (Assam) to Miao via Jairampur in Changlang district, the sources added.

UNI