PRIME MINISTER FLAGS OFF THE FIRST TRAIN FROM MEGHALAYA

Maligaon, 29^TH November 2014: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the first train from Meghalaya today. At 5:50 PM, he flagged off the 55819 Up Mendipathar - Guwahati passenger from Guwahati through video link thereby putting Meghalaya o­n the Railway map of India. He also laid the foundation stone for the New Railway Line from Bhairabi to Sairang in Mizoram.

Speaking at the function held in the Railway Stadium at Maligaon, the Prime Minister stated that it was a historic moment for the Railways as development of the Northeast is a primary requirement for the development of the country. He also stated that developing the infrastructure was the first step towards overall development of any region. He was confident that providing good railway connectivity to the Northeast would help in developing the tremendous potential for tourism in this region.

Earlier, speaking o­n this occasion, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma thanked the Railways for making a beginning in providing rail connectivity in his state and said that he looked forward towards further investments from the Railways in his state. Shri Lal Thanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram also thanked the Railways for undertaking the Bhairabi – Sairang project for providing rail connectivity in his state. Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi, in his speech said that although there has been significant progress in the rail connectivity in the Northeast, further improvements are required.

The 19.75 km long line from Dudhnoi in Assam to Mendipathar in Meghalaya has been constructed at a cost of ` 275 crores. The 51.38 km long line from Bhairabi to Sairang is estimated to cost ` 2384 crores and is expected to be completed by March 2018.

The inaugural passenger train from Mendipathar to Guwahati has run o­n open timings. The 55820 Down Guwahati – Mendipathar passenger will leave Guwahati daily at 6:10 PM to arrive Mendipathar at 10 PM. The 55819 Up Mendipathar – Guwahati passenger will leave Mendipathar daily at 7 AM to reach Guwahati at 11:20 AM. There will be 12 stoppages for this train in between the two terminal stations.