50-km rail route in western Assam vulnerable by nikhilndls on 30 July, 2012 - 09:01 AM | ||
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nikhilndls | 50-km rail route in western Assam vulnerable on 30 July, 2012 - 09:01 AM | |
GUWAHATI – It is a corridor of concern not just for the Indian Railways but also for the NE states which rely on it for vital supplies. The nearly 50 kilometre railway route in western Assam close to the Bengal border has emerged as a section vulnerable to protest action of various types.Very recently, it was in this area where armed protestors halted passenger trains and even caused damaged to a Guwahati bound Rajdhani Express. It was timely action on the part of the loco pilot – who did a rapid ‘push back’ – that saved lives of hundreds of passengers.According to sources in NF Railway, the stretch between Basugaon and Srirampur stations have witnessed protests and blockades from time to time. Much earlier, the same area had experienced bomb blasts on rail tracks leading to deaths and massive damage to railway assets. In one of the worst cases, 34 people had perished in a bomb blast near Sesapani in 1996.NFR officials agree that the recent blockade of trains that saw a total halt to train movement to and from the Northeast was the worst they have experienced. “The 50 km stretch between Basugaon and Srirampur is clearly vulnerable and steps should be taken to ensure that it is kept open at all times,” a senior official stated. |