A delegation from Dima Hasao had an important discussion with Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Sanjive Roy over the Railway heritage line at Haflong in Dima Hasao district on Friday.
During the meeting held at Maligaon in Guwahati, the team from Dima Hasao, led by MLA Bir Bhadra Hagjer and Tourism EM of NC Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) Kulendra Daulagupu, also included revenue secretary Saindesh Ardao and Tourism deputy director Nirmendu Kemprai.
Apart from the GM Sanjive Roy, the NFR team included AGM Lokesh Narayan, PCE Rajiv Rajvanshi and NFR chief spokesperson Pranab Jyoti Sarma.
It has been learnt that preservation of the remaining portion of the heritage track has been under the active consideration of the Railway Board.
When Tourism EM Kulendra Daulagupu pointed out that some portions of the track like culvert, small bridges are being dismantled between Mailongdisa and Longrangajao section, GM Roy instantly instructed the officials concerned to halt the dismantling work.
It has also been learnt that the assessment report prepared by the Assam Government and NFR has recently been submitted for further action.
MLA Hagjer urged that the unused land of the abandoned MG track be reverted to the Council as per the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation 1886 (as amended). GM Roy told the delegation that the NFR follows certain rules and procedures for transferring back such unused land and only higher authorities – Railway Board and Ministry – can take decisions in this regard.
On other demands such as introduction of Guwahati-Diteckcherra special train, the GM stated that Lumding-Badarpur special train would be more feasible.
Regarding improvement of train service in Dima Hasao district, the NFR GM assured of all possible support with the rider that all the creative be supplied by the Tourism Department and on Tourist Information kiosk at New Haflong Railway Station platform. “The DRM Lumding would take necessary action in this regard upon formal request by the Tourism Department,” the GM added.