Eye on China's upgrade, Govt plans 3 key railway lines, one to Tawang

[JAISWAL]

With China in mind, India is embarking on a major infrastructure drive in Arunachal Pradesh, with plans for three railway lines in the border state, including one to connect the strategic Tawang plateau with Assam.
While the Defence Ministry has traditionally been discreet about its infrastructure projects in the North-East, the latest standing committee report has revealed detailed plans to enhance border infrastructure. This includes three "strategic railway lines" that have been proposed: Missamari (Assam) to Tawang, North Lakhimpur (Assam)-Along (Arunachal)-Silapathar (Assam), and Murkongselek (Assam)-Pasighat (Arunachal)-Rupai (Assam).

Of the railway lines that have been proposed, the Tawang line is the most significant, considering the strategic importance of the area which is also a major Indian military base. At present, the only access is via road which frequently closes down in bad weather, or helicopters which again do not operate in adverse weather conditions.

In a reply to the standing committee, the defence ministry has said that the survey for the Tawang line has been sanctioned and is due to commence shortly.

For the Along line, the survey has already been completed and forwarded to the railway board while the Pasighat line has been endorsed by the Planning Commission and Rs 165 crore has been allotted. The report also says that sufficient funds have been "assured especially for the three strategic rail projects in the North-East".

While the government has also accorded top priority to construction of new roads along the North-East border, it is now building "operationally critical infrastructure" including permanent defences along the Line of Actual Control. Almost 50 per cent work on the 73 critical road projects along the China border has been completed.

The government is also working to connect Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh with a railway line.
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Eye on China's upgrade, Govt plans 3 key railway lines, one to Tawang - Indian Express
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[Virendra]

Ahh Tawang !! .. always in news A hood surrounded by international borders on three sides. Much like the Siachen today.
Good move anyways !!

 

[tarunraju]

Let's pray that it is in tune with IR's "Uniguage" policy of building all new lines in the standard Broad Gauge, and not cheap out by building new Meter Gauge lines (taking the terrain into account). Broad Gauge is very much possible in any part of North East terrain, the Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla broad gauge line is testament to that.

If in the process North East gets good railways, then that's a good expenditure. It will transform the lives of millions. Lines of all NE capitals should converge at Siliguri, GoI should talk to Bangladesh for a trade rail line that cuts across the country, linking southern NE states to West Bengal.

 

[After Relationship]

But how would they build railways that will travel up the mountains. i suppose they're gonna build a india-bhutan-india line

 

[S.u.D]

late move..but good move.

 

[arya]

well better we provide good roads and more airfield

more airfield means more power

 

[JAISWAL]

well better we provide good roads and more airfield

more airfield means more power

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Its not viable to ignore rail infrastructer as it provide more rapid then road and mass transport then air.
Thus rail link is very important.