Railway Minister Labels NE as India's 'New Engine' for Growth
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Synopsis
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has declared the northeastern region as the 'New Engine' of India's development, unveiling multiple initiatives aimed at boosting Assam's railway and IT sectors during the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025'.
Key Takeaways
- New mega railway workshop at Basbari to boost industrial growth.
- Guwahati railway station transformation into a world-class facility.
- Introduction of Amrit Bharat Trains and enhanced intercity services.
- Quadrupling of the 'Chicken Neck' corridor for improved connectivity.
- Development of a semiconductor hub to support self-reliance.
Guwahati, Feb 25 (NationPress) Referring to the northeastern part of the country as the 'New Engine' for India's development, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a series of new initiatives and projects in the Railway and IT sectors that will significantly enhance development in Assam.
During the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025' held in Guwahati, the Railways Minister detailed plans for a new mega railway workshop to be established at Basbari in Assam's Bodoland region, fulfilling a crucial commitment outlined in the Bodoland agreement and promoting industrial growth.
Moreover, a specialized mid-life reconstruction facility for locomotives is set to be constructed in Lumding, aimed at improving railway operations and maintenance, Vaishnaw noted.
He also mentioned that the Guwahati railway station is being revamped into a world-class facility, which will include a 12-storey IT park to encourage technological innovation and job opportunities.
“Assam is poised to welcome two Amrit Bharat Trains in the next 10 months, along with additional intercity train services linking Guwahati with Silchar and Agartala,” the minister announced.
To improve railway connectivity and operational efficiency, the strategic 'Chicken Neck' corridor will undergo quadrupling work. The Kokrajhar – Gelephu railway project is expected to create an essential railway link between India and Bhutan, enhancing trade and connectivity.
In addition, six new Gati Shakti terminals have been approved to increase freight movement and logistics efficiency across the region, as stated by the Railways minister. He also highlighted that the IT and electronics sectors will receive a substantial boost, with plans for a new semiconductor hub in Assam to foster self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.
“These initiatives related to railways and IT underscore the government's dedication to accelerating economic growth in Assam and the Northeast, ensuring better connectivity, industrial development, and job creation,” the minister emphasized.
Furthermore, an advanced electronics manufacturing hub is planned for development in the Kamrup district of Assam, which will generate employment and promote industrial growth, Vaishnaw added.
According to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the total budget allocation for railway infrastructure projects in the northeast for the financial year 2025-26 is set at Rs 10,440 crore.
This figure is over five times the average budget allocation of Rs 2,122 crore from 2009-14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Guwahati on Monday, addressed the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025' on Tuesday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior ministers were present during the session. The General Manager of the NFR, Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) Arun Kumar Chaudhary, and senior railway officials were also in attendance at the business summit.
