Union MoS State for Railways has visited Arunachal Pradesh and conducted talks with the Governor and CM separately. On both occasions MoS has been urged to give some extra emphasis so that there is an expansion of railway network in the state along with expeditious implementation of the on-going projects. Truly, when it comes to railways, expansion and fast-tracking are the crucial aspects that hold immense and all-round significance in any corner of the country and in case of Arunachal, it needs hardly any restating that it is something that is a long due. Development is not picking up just due to the single factor of communication bottleneck and to set it into motion, railways can be the most effective and long-term solution. At the same it is also encouraging to learn that MoS has agreed with the state’s aspirations and has assured to walk that extra mile for making railways a reality in Arunachal.
A single glance over an all-India railway map will be perhaps enough to put anybody face-to-face with so many striking contrasts and paradoxes. If the year of commencement of Indian Railways which was 1853 is taken into consideration, it’s undoubtedly a long journey and after nationalisation in 1951 it has made deep penetration too. All these had made it the largest rail network in Asia and world’s second largest with more than 115,000 km of track length and approximately 13000   trains carrying over 23 million passengers daily, equivalent to moving the entire population of Australia. All these figures no doubt are enviable achievements, but when it comes to the representation of Northeast in the above successes, it is a different story which paints a picture of neglect. Few will differ that it is that part of the country that has somehow received scanty attention over the decades resulting in a sort of forced alienation for the region’s people and below average development.  
Arunachal, although being the largest state of the Northeast in terms of geographical area had to wait for an infinite time to finally get a place in the nation’s railway map only in April 2014. Standing in 2019, dreams have multiplied since there are as many as eleven new routes in the making. Bhalukpong-Tawang, Silapathar-Bame-Aalo, Pasighat-TezuParashuramkund-Rupai, Itakhola-Seijosa, Dumduma-Namsai-Wakro, Dangri-Roing, Deomali-Naharkatia, Lekhapani-Kharsang-Miao-Nampong-New Kamlang-Deban and Tinsukia-Pasighat via Simalguri-Kanubari   when built, will bring immense economic benefits for Arunachal and act as a true catalyst in its overall progress.  
“But when will they actually be realities?” is the question that must be playing in the minds all Arunachalees. And to honour their aspirations, all stakeholders must work in tandem relinquishing the tendency of shunning responsibilities. It’s high time that assurances must now be transformed into actions.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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