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Title : Need to upgrade and develop the existing network of railways, roads and waterways in Assam.
SHRI RAMEN DEKA (MANGALDOI): Assam is located in a very strategic place from the defence point of view. North East Region is surrounded by international border i.e. China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Assam is the gateway of North Eastern State. Assam caters to various needs of the North Eastern States. The road and rail communication systems are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand of defence personnel and civilians in this region. We should not forget the Sino-India war of 1962. In case of war, the existing network of roads & rails will not be sufficient to meet the eventuality. So, a developed and well planned network of rails & roads is necessary in Assam to meet the eventuality.
Alternative Highways Nos. 31 & 52 should be constructed for smooth movement in North Bank of Brahmaputra Immediately, Government of India should construct double track rail line immediately to remove the bottleneck in the transport system. A new rail line touching Darrang District to Arunachal Pradesh should be constructed as an alternative route. The water transport through Brahmaputra and Barak rivers will provide very low cost transportation of goods in the region.
I urge upon the Government of India to take necessary steps in this regard.