Arunachal Govt approves 'toy train' in Tawang; statewide train services from Sep 1

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh government today approved a 'toy train' project for tourists in the picturesque town of Tawang, situated 10,000 feet close to the Indo-China border.

Arunachal Pradesh's government and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) have decided to resume train services in the frontier state from September 1. The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting held by Chief Minister Pema Khandu with NFR general manager Anshul Gupta where the former called for the resumption of rail services from the state capital Itanagar.

The NFR would begin the groundwork for the Tawang project immediately and hopes to finish it in six months, Gupta informed.

The project envisages a tourist-centric toy train service in and around Tawang township that would include a park with facilities like food centers, craft bazaars, and others. As per the proposal, the Tawang 'toy train' would have at least three bogies, each with capacities for 12 passengers.

It was decided in the meeting that except for the Donyi-Polo Express that shuttles between Naharlagun and Guwahati, the other two train services – Shatabdi (Naharlagun-Guwahati) and the AC Express (Naharlagun-Delhi) would resume from September 1 next. The Donyi-Polo Express is awaiting finalization of fares/rates which is under review. Once done, the train too would resume its services, officials informed.

Khandu also urged the NFR to introduce train services from Naharlagun to states in south India.

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“With many traveling to southern states for studies, jobs, treatment, etc and having a large chunk of government employees hailing from these states, there’s an urgent need to have direct train services at least till Bangalore via Chennai,” said Khandu.

[caption id="attachment_99575" align="alignnone" width="787"] Khandu addressed the press after today's ceremony[/caption]

Gupta informed that NFR is open to the proposal and would work on its feasibility and routes and come back to the state government.

He also informed that NFR is under process to extend electric locomotive services in the region. At present, electric engine train services are available till New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, from where diesel engines take over.

Gupta said overhead electricity lines will be reaching Guwahati by this month and surveys are on for laying of the same till Naharlagun railway station here.

Rail connectivity to Pasighat, availing of train services by FCI and IOCL, transport of Agri-Horti products from the state, railways for tourism, etc were also discussed.

Talking to this scribe, the railway station master of Bhalukpong town of West Kameng bordering Assam Arunachal informed that Bhalukpong is a terminal station and only one passenger train was there which was suspended since last March 2020 since the pandemic began.

Raj Pradhan, an employee of Bhalukpong railway station in Assam-bordering West Kameng informed that tourism was badly affected due to the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.

"Train services were halted since last year and which made the situation worse. Earlier bloggers, YouTubers often visited Tawang, Bomdila towns of Arunachal but now due to the non-issue of inner line permits, tourism is badly affected," he added.

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