The officials said 90.59% of work has been completed at a cost of Rs 5,185.44 crore. “Hopefully, it will be completed by March, 2015. It took a bit more time owing to various reasons, including its geographical locations and law and order problems,” said NFR deputy chief engineer (construction) N Brahma. The project became technically challenging because of the hilly terrains, sharp curves and steep gradients, said Brahma.
“Several workers have lost their lives for working under unfavourable conditions. Poor road conditions and incelement weather are halting our work. These are our major concerns,” he said.
The NFR authorities will complete the remaining work by undertaking mega block for six months from October 1. This will stop existing metre gauge train services for the period as tracks would have to be dismantled at 102 locations.
“Though locals would be inconvenienced for the next six months, the mega block is unavoidable under present circumstances to complete the project,” said Brahma. The authorities consulted the Research and Design Standards Organization of Railways, National Institute of Rock Mechanics and National Institute of Technology in Silchar to solve technical complications in tunnels 7 and 10.
Some major millstones, including the country’s highest 54m railway bridge over the Dayang river, have been achieved.
The project that was approved in 1996 was supposed to make lives easier for thousands living in the Barak Valley, besides other states in the northeast.
Source: Nagaland Post
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