The Tetelia-Byrnihat Line is a planned railway project in Assam and Meghalaya, India, to improve connectivity and boost the region's economy.[1]
History
editIn the 19th century, the Cherra Companyganj State Railways had a station called Tharia in Meghalaya, connected to Companyganj in Bangladesh, but it closed after an earthquake damaged the line.[2][3]
In the late 1970s, there was an attempt to build a railway from Guwahati to Byrnihat in Meghalaya, but local opposition stopped the project before any rails were laid.[4]
Project
editThe Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line project is divided into two main phases:
Tetelia-Byrnihat Line
editThis phase includes building a 22 kilometers (14 miles) railway line from Tetelia Junction in Assam to Byrnihat in Meghalaya. The project was on hold for a long time because local groups were worried about illegal immigration.[5]
Despite these challenges, 10 kilometers of the Tetelia – kamalajari section have been completed.[5]
Byrnihat-Shillong Line
editFurther, the railway line will extend by 108 kilometers (67 miles) from Byrnihat to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya,[5]
The Byrnihat-Shillong railway line will have 100 bridges, with the longest being 701 meters. The ten stations on the route are Byrnihat, Sohkhwai, Lailad, Umsong, Umar, Nongsder, Kyrdemkulai, Umroi, Umpling, and New Shillong. The project includes 31 tunnels, totaling 39.06 kilometers, making up 36.03 percent of the rail's length. The longest tunnel will be 4.14 kilometers long.[6]
Challanges
editDespite some progress, including a 10-kilometer section in Assam, the Tetelia-Byrnihat Railway Line faces major challenges. Local opposition and the need for approvals have slowed it down. The government highlights job creation and economic growth, but concerns about effects on indigenous communities remain a big hurdle.[4]
References
edit- ^ Reporter (2023-10-20). "Coming in favour of railway line in Jaintia Hills". Meghalaya Monitor. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Cherra Companyganj State Railways, a mountain railway that existed 125 years ago". The Economic Times. 2012-03-15. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ Report on the Administration of the Province of Assam. India: University of California. 1901.
- ^ a b Service, Statesman News (2023-10-11). "Meghalaya explores railway projects despite resistance". The Statesman. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ a b c Live, Northeast (2023-08-18). "Railway project in Meghalaya's East Jaintia hills still on cards: Dy CM". Northeast Live. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Meghalaya: NFR to approach MDA 2.0 government pushing for 108 km Byrnihat-Shillong rail line project". India Today NE. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2024-09-04.