Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) expects to invest over Rs. 1 lakh crores in the region for multiple infrastructural projects. Broad gauge is anticipated to connect the state capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, and Meghalaya by next year, in 2023. And Kohima, Nagaland's state capital, is anticipated to be connected by wide-gauge by 2026.

According to NFR, the region has experienced considerable infrastructure boosts in the railway connection sector during the previous eight years (2014-2022). According to an NFR statement, the operation to build the wide gauge railway line has taken an upward turn. There are 21 new line projects totaling 1641 kilometres, 10 double line projects totaling 1209 kilometres, and 6 national projects totaling 419.37 kilometres under construction. "To accomplish these projects, an investment of Rs 95,261.65 crores is needed in the region." These initiatives have provided a big number of jobs in the region for residents to work and have also revolutionized the region's socioeconomic landscape," it said.

Between 2014 and 2022, a total of 893.82 kilometres of track were converted to wide gauge, 386.84 kilometres of new lines were installed, and 356.41 kilometres of double lines were commissioned. In addition, a survey of 1578 kilometres of additional lines has been conducted.

A total of Rs 51,787 crores has been allocated to connect the state capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland with broad gauge lines.

"In the previous eight years, the region's average fund allocation each year has been 254 percent more than the yearly average fund allocation in 2009-14," NFR reported.

Furthermore, the construction is being prioritised following the funding of Rs. 180 crores by the Centre for the repair of the railway network in Dima Hasao. Sabyasachi De, NFR's Chief Public Relations Officer, told Business NorthEast that around 1500 people are working tirelessly with machines to finish the task. Rail service is set to restart in the first week of July.

"There is activity between Maibang and Bandarkhal. Buildings, bridges, and other permanent infrastructure were unharmed. The dirt beneath the railway rails, however, has slipped, and rehabilitation is underway," he stated.

Sabyasachi De previously said that 26 key places in the Lumding Division had been recognised as having been destroyed by floods and landslides. Near Haflong, about 50 metres of railway track was left hanging in the air after 70-80 metres of soil under it cut through.