NECCC wants Sonia's intervention for Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam proje

New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) The North-East Congress Co-ordination Committee (NECCC) has urged Congress president Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the much-desired Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam railway line project so that it could benefit the region.

It said the important broad gauging of the railway line project of the Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam should be taken up immediately for improving the conditions not only of the Barak Valley but for the entire Assam and the three neighbouring States of Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

The General Secretary and In-Charge Media NECCC, Sharif Uz- Zaman Laskar, in a statement issued here today, pointed out that even after six decades of Independence, this important area of the barak valley remain under-developed and neglected and literally crying for development.

He said this region, comprising three districts with a population of 40 lakh, not only constitutes an important part of Assam but is also the main gateway to the States of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura.

Strategically located, the Barak valley also works as lifeline of almost half of the North East region He said if security is the concern this project should be completed under protection from the National Security Forces.

Once completed, this railway line would act as a catalyst of development not only for the Barak valley but for the entire region.

He insisted that besides the railway line there should be an alternative highway from Silchar to Guwahati via Harangajao. That would remove the continued uncertainities of the existing Silchar-Guwahati road. This road often remain closed due to natural calamities like landslides and other manmade disruptions.

Mr Laskar also demanded to open up a new waterway from Silchar to Kolkata via Bangladesh. Utilisation at this Water Transport would be the easiest means or process of carrying goods and essential commodities. Incidentally, one waterway existed during British rule and the same should be revised.

He also requested for the early completion of the Tipaimukh dam on the Barak river.

He said ironically, Barak Valley is one of the rare peaceful regions in entire North-East. The beautiful valley and its ethnic mix population had earned the distinction of 'Island of Peace' from our the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. But this scenic valley and its teeming population wanted immediate personal intervention from the Congress president for the regions overall development.

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