Guwahati, March 9: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, visited Guwahati Railway Station on Sunday, concluding his three-day tour of Assam and the Northeast.
Accompanied by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) general manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava and senior railway officials, Somanna reviewed the progress of ongoing redevelopment projects aimed at modernizing the station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) at an estimated cost of Rs. 181.09 crores.
Somanna conducted a comprehensive inspection of the station’s infrastructure, evaluating key facilities such as waiting halls, QR code ticketing counters, and security measures. He also visited the Executive Lounge, where he commended railway officials for maintaining cleanliness and efficiency. In discussions with officials, he explored further improvements to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency.
While addressing the media, Somanna highlighted a record allocation of Rs. 10,440 crores for Northeast railways in the Union Budget 2025-26. He emphasized that, unlike in 2014 when Assam had no railway electrification, the region is now on track to achieve 100% electrification by the end of 2025.
The Union Minister also outlined the significant progress in railway infrastructure, noting that doubling works are progressing rapidly to boost capacity and efficiency. He stressed the importance of new railway lines to improve connectivity and cater to the growing transportation needs of the region.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernizing railway stations, Somanna underscored the importance of enhancing passenger comfort and connectivity, particularly in the Northeast.
Earlier, on Saturday, he inspected Dibrugarh Railway Station, reviewing its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. He also visited the Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge, which strengthens connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the government’s dedication to world-class railway services and regional economic growth.
