In a significant development for North Assam’s transportation infrastructure, the Ministry of Railways has officially sanctioned the Final Location Survey (FLS) for two crucial railway projects that will connect Guwahati to Tezpur and extend further to Silghat. This announcement came in response to an unstarred question raised by Tezpur Lok Sabha member Shri Ranjit Dutta in the Parliament on April 2, 2025.
Project Details and Scope
The approved survey covers two important railway lines:
Primary Route: Agthori (Guwahati) to Dekargaon (Tezpur)
- Total length: 155 kilometers
- Will pass through Darrang and Sonitpur districts
- Connects cities including Bahita Charali, Mangalde, Kharupetia, and Dhekiajuli
Extension Line: Tezpur to Silghat
- Total length: 25 kilometers
- Will further enhance connectivity in the region
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds portfolios for Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, provided detailed information about the project status and broader railway development plans for the Northeast region.
Historical Significance
These railway lines hold special importance as they will connect cities that have remained without rail connectivity since India’s independence. The project represents a long-awaited solution to the transportation challenges faced by residents and businesses in North Assam for over seven decades.
Industry Response and Support
The announcement has received strong support from the business community. Rajendra Bhati, Chairman of the Railway Committee of the North Assam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his gratitude to MP Ranjit Dutta for raising this crucial matter in Parliament. Bhati has urged the MP to maintain constant communication with the Ministry of Railways and the General Manager of North Frontier Railway, Guwahati, to expedite the survey work.
To ensure swift progress, Bhati has submitted memorandums to several key officials including:
- The Honorable Chief Minister
- Minister Ashok Singhal
- MP Mangalde
- Rajya Sabha MP Viren Vaishya
- MP Naugaon
- Legislative Assembly Tezpur member
Current Railway Development in Assam
The railway expansion is part of a broader infrastructure development strategy for the Northeast region. According to the Ministry’s data, significant progress has been made in recent years:
Completed Projects in Assam:
- New Maynaguri – Jogighopa New Line (288.88 km)
- Digaru – Hojai doubling (102 km)
- Hojai – Lumding doubling (44.92 km)
- New Bongaigaon – Rangiya- Agthori (142.97 km)
Ongoing Projects:
- Murkonselek- Pasighat New Line (26.15 km)
- Tetelia- Byrnihat New Line (21.50 km)
- New Bongaigaon- Goalpara- Kamakhya doubling (176 km)
- Lumding Furkating doubling (140 km)
- Kamakhya- Guwahati 3rd line (5.44 km)
- Agthori-Kamakhya including Rail cum Road Bridge at Saraighat (7.062 km)
Investment and Timeline
The railway development program shows substantial financial commitment to the region. In the past three years (2021-22 to 2024-25), 14 surveys covering 1,869 kilometers have been sanctioned for projects fully or partially in Assam.
As of April 1, 2024, 18 railway projects worth ₹74,972 crore are at various stages of planning and implementation in the Northeast region, including Assam. Of these, 313 kilometers have been commissioned with an expenditure of ₹40,549 crore.
Performance Comparison
The data reveals significant improvement in railway development:
Track Commissioning:
- 2009-14: 333 km (66.6 km/year average)
- 2014-24: 1,728 km (172.8 km/year average – nearly 3 times faster)
Budget Allocation:
- 2009-14: ₹2,122 crore/year average
- 2025-26: ₹10,440 crore (nearly 5 times increase)
Next Steps
The survey work for the Guwahati-Tezpur railway line has already begun following the official sanction. The business community and local representatives are optimistic that construction work will commence immediately after the survey completion.
The railway ministry emphasized that projects are sanctioned based on various factors including return on investment, traffic projections, last mile connectivity, missing links, demands from state governments, and socio-economic considerations.
This development marks a crucial step toward improving transportation infrastructure in North Assam and is expected to boost economic development in the region significantly. The new railway lines will not only improve connectivity but also open new opportunities for trade, tourism, and industrial growth in the area.
The successful completion of these railway projects will fulfill a long-standing demand of the people of North Assam and bring the region closer to the mainstream transportation network of the country.
