GUWAHATI, Jan 5: Tourist circuit trains promoting the rich heritage of the Northeast will be introduced soon, while studies are being conducted to establish strategic lines through alternate routes to highlight the beauty of the region.
Funds to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore have been allocated for ongoing railway projects in Northeast this year.
This was disclosed by Union minister of railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during a visit here on Tuesday.
The railway ministry plans to promoting the rich heritage of Northeast by introducing tourist circuit trains covering the entire region and showcasing its beautiful culture to the entire world.
“Five Vistadome services have already been introduced towards the goal of promoting tourism in the Northeast. Proposals were discussed with the Union tourism minister as well as Assam transport and industries minister Chandra Mohan Patowary,” a statement issued by Northeast Frontier Railway said.
During his visit, the minister said that Indian Railway was working day in and day out to fulfill Prime Minister’s vision of connectivity in the Northeast.
Electrification of railway track has been completed up to Guwahati. Further work for electrification is also in progress, the minister said.
“A thorough study is being done to introduce more passenger, Intercity and Janshatabdi-like trains in Northeastern states like Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Mizoram,” the statement quoting the minister said.
Besides, work is on for provision of high speed internet in the entire Northeast.
“An out-of-the-box experiment was conducted for 10 GB internet connectivity from the Coxbazar international landing station (Bangladesh) to Agartala through BSNL. The experiment has been extremely successful and now we will be further extending this,” the minister said.
“The Prime Minister’s vision is to provide digital telecom connectivity to every village in the Northeast. We are working on it. Scientific survey and GIS mapping is on to identify locations for telecom connectivity in every village,” he said.