Guwahati, August 23 (HS). Railway Safety Commissioner (CRS) Sumit Singhal on August 22 gave the green signal to start the operation of goods and passenger trains on the 16.725 km new BG railway line between Bhairabi and Hortoki. Earlier, CRS had inspected the said section at the end of last month. Trains can be operated at a maximum speed of 75 km per hour on this new railway line.
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said on Friday that the newly constructed BG line section between Bhairabi and Hortoki has 20 big bridges and 27 small bridges and also includes three road overbridges and one road underbridge. This new section has 13 tunnels and covered routes. This area receives an average annual rainfall of 2112.823 mm. Also, this section falls in seismic zone five. This section has been constructed for train operation at a maximum speed of 100 kmph in the main line and 30 kmph in loop lines.
He informed that this section is part of the ongoing 51.38 km long Bhairabi-Sairang new rail line project. After successful inspection and speed trial, CRS has approved the operation of trains at a maximum speed of 75 kmph on the newly laid railway line. This new line will help in transporting more goods and passengers through this route. He informed that this section has a total curved track of 27.03 percent. There is no level crossing in the entire section. The section has been provided with electronic interlocking with MACL signal system. New foot overbridge, second class waiting room, covered platforms, separate toilets for men and women have been constructed at Hortoki railway station.
He said that on completion of the project, the total length of 51.38 km Bhairabi-Sairang new rail project will provide better connectivity to the people of Mizoram, help develop small industries in the region and promote tourism in the state. The total length of tunnels on its track is 12853 meters. The project will have a total of 55 big bridges and 89 small bridges. The construction work of pillar P-4 of bridge number 196 on the approach to Sairang station has also been completed, which is the tallest pillar of the project. Its height is 104 meters, which is 42 meters higher than the Qutub Minar. There will be four stations in this project – Hortoki, Kaunpui, Mualakhang and Sairang.
He said that the project will significantly reduce the cost of transporting passengers and various materials and goods in this hill state to meet the needs of the local population. The travel time between the capital of Mizoram and nearby places in Assam will be reduced considerably. The people of the region will get long distance access across the country and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.