Indian Chamber of Commerce welcomes proposals for Northeast in Rail Budget

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) welcomed Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's announcement that the ongoing projects in the Northeastern states would receive a major thrust.

The ICC in a press release today also welcomed the Railway Minister's statement affirming the centre's commitment to provide rail connectivity to all Northeastern states.

The trade body believed tha enhanced railway connectivity can propel Northeast's growth and development significantly and unlock the region's huge economic potential.

That Meghalaya has been brought on the Railway map for the first time since Independence is a laudable step, the Chamber noted.

The ICC also termed Arunachal Pradesh's direct connectivity to Delhi and conversion of narrow gauge tracks to broad gauge in the Barak Valley in Assam in March as significant steps to enhance the Northeast region's economic prospects and steps.

The release further said that the introduction of Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train services in North eastern states as a national project and allocation of Rs 39,000 crore for national projects (North Eastern and Kashmir connectivity projects) would promote Northeast connectivity and go a long way in boosting the N-E region's economy in the coming years.

Stating the rail budget should have focused more on the completion of some long overdue railway projects in the Northeast, the Chamber noted that introduction of new trains in NER could also have boosted the railway connectivity and the region's economy.