Connecting collectives

   Special Correspondent     

The Century Old Meter Gauge (MG) line through the Wooden hill section connecting southern Assam, Manipur Tripura and Mizoram from Lumding is all set to have Broad Gauge (BG) line, the Conversation work is stated to commence from October next.
During the period of Gauge Conversion known as Mega Block the Union Government has drawn up contingency work is stated to commence from October next.

During the period of Gauge Conversion known as Mega Block the Union Government has drawn up contingency plan to keep supply line or even keel.

A high level meeting under the Chairmanship of Dr. S.B. Agnihorti Secretary (Co-ordination) in Cabinet Secretariat held last month, attended by all high level officers of Various connected Ministries to ensure smooth movement of food-grains to southern Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during Mega Block gauge conversion work by railways.

The north eastern states are deficit food grain states, about 3 lakhs metric tons of food-grains are moved every month from other parts of the country to meet the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) of these states, as these states has limited storage space regular movement of food-grains is required and are mainly done through the railways network and the distribution of food-grains is done through BG and MG network and part of interstate movement is through road bridge.
The average monthly requirement of food-grains for southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur is 1 lakh metric tons which will be met through road network during mega block period for which additional rail heads has been identified they are Baihatta and Jagi Road near Guwahati from where food – grains will be moved.

The National Highway (NH) 44 connecting the affected state during the Megha Block period will have tremendous uninterrupted movement of food-grains it was decided that National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will maintain all weather roads and complete the four lanes from Jorabat to Barapani at the earliest.

The NH 54 connecting Lumding with Silchar were also four laning work is in progress being constructed by NHAI, out of total length of 190 kms, 15 km hindrance free land on the route is yet to be handed over by Government of Assam to NHAI.      
Serious concern has also been expressed by Manipur Government on the condition of road at NH 53 on the section 15 km road from Anangkul Village to Rengpang Village and 24 km from Nungba to Sibiling Village in Tamenglong District connecting Silchar with Imphal it was decided that Border Road Organisation (BRO) will take steps for maintenance of road during the Mega Block Period.
Tripura Government had made a strong plea for augmenting six months stock in advance during the Mega block It was informed that food-grains from Andhra Pradesh will be moved by sea than by riverine route to Ashuganj (Bangladesh) from where food – grains will be moved by road via Akhaura international check gate to Agartala beside road movement from Jagi Road, Chansari and Baihata rail heads to build buffer stock.

Meanwhile Tripura Food and Civil supply Minister Bhanu Lal Saha had reviewed the situation at a high level meeting at Agartala with Senior Officers of FCI, Railway and IOCL for immediate action plan to maintain normal supply line of essential commodities in the state during Mega Block.

Railway authorities assured to place adequate number of rakes in next four month to build buffer stock of food – grains to the tune of 35,000 Metric tons per month.

IOCL has also informed that they have drawn up action plan to brace the situation and assured that there will be no scarcity of POL and supply of LPG re-fills in Tripura.

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