PASIGHAT, Feb 13: In a significant step to improve rail connectivity and facilitate economic growth in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has commissioned Sille railway station (B-Class), located near Pasighat town in East Siang district, following a successful trial run. However, passenger train services linking the newly commissioned station are yet to be introduced.
Following the completion of the newly constructed 15.60-km stretch of the rail route from Murkongselek (Assam) to Sille station (Arunachal Pradesh) of the Murkongselek-Pasighat broad gauge (BG) railway project, a ‘speed’ trial run of a special train from Sille station was conducted, officials said.
The trial run of the OMS-studded special train from Sille to Murkongselek was successfully carried out, NFR officials said.
Prior to this key development, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), NF Circle, Sumeet Singhal on Thursday afternoon conducted a statutory inspection of the newly constructed Murkongselek-Sille section, spanning 15.60 km, the first phase of the two-phased 26.15 km-long Murkongselek-Pasighat New Railway Line Project under Tinsukia Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
The CRS was accompanied by Divisional Railway Manager (Construction) of Tinsukia, Parag Katre and other officials.
As per officials, the project had achieved approximately 60 per cent physical progress till the end of December last year.
The commissioning of Sille station marks a significant step towards enhancing rail connectivity in the region, with full operationalisation expected upon completion of the remaining stretch.
The Murkongselek–Pasighat New Railway Line Project has been planned in two phases — Phase-I: Murkongselek–Sille (15.60 km) and Phase-II: Sille–Pasighat (10.55 km). The alignment includes three new stations, namely Sille, Labo and Pasighat, along with several major and minor bridges, Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) etc.
Upon completion of the entire 26.15 km project, the line will substantially improve connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with Assam and the rest of the country. The project is expected to facilitate economic growth by encouraging small-scale industries, tourism and trade in the region. It will also reduce transportation costs and travel time, ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, and provide long-distance rail access to the people of the region.
The rapid expansion of railway infrastructure in the Northeast region continues to play a transformative role in strengthening regional integration and fostering socio-economic development.