Silchar: Hundreds protested at Chandranathpur railway station in Cachar on Thursday, demanding the implementation of the proposed Lanka-Chandranathpur railway line.Residents of the Katigorah and Barkhola assembly constituencies demonstrated amid concerns over discussions on an alternative Lanka-Moynarband alignment. They urged Centre and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to retain the Lanka-Chandranathpur route, which was proposed and surveyed earlier.Protesters said the original alignment would strengthen railway connectivity in Barak Valley and provide an alternative to the vulnerable Lumding-Badarpur hill section. While thanking PM Narendra Modi, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for prioritising infrastructure development, they opposed any deviation from the proposal.They also demanded that Chandranathpur be developed as a major railway junction, saying it would benefit Katigorah and Barkhola and facilitate passenger and freight movement across southern Assam.A delegation submitted a memorandum to railway authorities, urging the railway ministry and NFR to expedite the project.The demand follows repeated disruptions on the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, particularly in Dima Hasao, where landslides and adverse weather frequently affect services.Residents said the proposed route would ensure more reliable connectivity between Barak Valley and the rest of the northeast and boost economic activity by improving passenger and goods movement.
