New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the national capital, urging a broad expansion of the railway network in the state to enhance regional and cross-border connectivity.
During the 25-minute meeting at the Railway Minister’s residence, Sarma presented a set of proposals aimed at improving transport infrastructure within Assam and linking it more effectively with neighbouring regions and countries.
He called for the introduction of three new Amrit Bharat trains to and from the state and proposed a new rail corridor connecting Umrangso in Dima Hasao district with Lanka in Hojai district.
The chief minister said the new corridor would not only improve intra-state mobility but also open new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in Assam’s hill districts.
Sarma also pressed for faster execution of the proposed Kokrajhar–Gelephu Mindfulness City railway line, which would connect Assam to Bhutan’s upcoming Mindfulness City at Gelephu.
The cross-border project, he said, could significantly boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
In addition, he urged the Railway Ministry to provide more stoppages for long-distance trains passing through Assam to improve accessibility for passengers from smaller towns and rural areas, making rail travel more inclusive across the state.
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An official statement said the Union Minister responded positively to all four proposals and assured that the Railway Ministry would act on them in a time-bound manner.
Following the meeting, the chief minister described the discussion as “very productive” on social media platform X, noting that the Railway Minister had “kindly consented” to all key action points.
“We deliberated on measures to expand the railway’s footprint in Assam to enhance overall connectivity for our people,” he wrote.
The meeting underscores the Assam government’s continued emphasis on infrastructure development as part of its long-term goal to connect every district with modern transport facilities and integrate the state more closely with the rest of the Northeast and neighbouring nations.
