Maligaon, January 21 (MExN): Rajen Gohain, Union Minister of State for Railways today laid foundation stone for construction of one Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train shed at Lumding.
The DEMU shed would be upgraded to Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) shed once electrification of railway track is carried out. He also laid foundation stone for construction of one new coaching depot at the same place, stated a press release from Chrief PRO PJ Sharma.
Speaking on the occasion Gohain said that more and more long distance trains will start from Lumding in future, as Guwahati station has become very crammed for introducing any further long distance trains. He also said that one south bound train has been planned to run from Silghat shortly. More flyovers will come up in places like Jamunamukh, Kampur and nearby areas of Lumding, he announced.
He also expressed hope that with the setting up of DEMU shed and coaching depot at Lumding will bring employment for the area.
Sibu Misra, MLA, Lumding, Sanjive Roy, General Manager, NF Railway and other senior railway officials were also present on the occasion.
Sibu Misra, MLA, Lumding in his speech thanked the union minister for taking the initiatives for setting up various structures. He said that with the setting up of the shed and depot, local youth will surely get opportunity for direct and in-direct employment.
An amount of Rs. 88.39 cr. has been sanctioned for setting up of the depot. Lumding DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) base depot will primarily serve requirements of Lumding and Tinsukia divisions. DEMU operations over NF Railway have been planned with maintenance support at Siliguri & Lumding as base depots and Tinsukia and Agartala as satellite depot.
Further depots at Katihar and Rangapara will come up later. The Lumding base depot together with satellite depots will be able to hold more than 30 DEMU rakes to meet the passenger train requirement of the area. Presently N.F. Railway has 24 DEMU rakes which are likely to go up soon in view of Railway Board’s policy of replacing conventional rakes with DEMU rakes.
Similarly, with the extension of new lines to the Northeast state capitals the need to develop a coaching Terminal at Lumding has become essential, the release also added.
Earlier, General Manager, NF Railway Sanjive Roy welcomed the guests and gave a brief description of the works to be done.
