Silchar: Passenger organisations have alleged that key railway stations in the Barak Valley and Dima Hasao are being overlooked in the Northeast Frontier Railway’s infrastructure push.The All-India Railway Passengers’ Users Facilities Federation, North East Railway Passengers’ Association and other groups have sought the intervention of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairperson, demanding time-bound development of Silchar, New Haflong and Badarpur stations.The groups said Silchar, one of Assam’s major railway stations after Guwahati, handles more than 15,000 passengers daily, but continues to face deficiencies in infrastructure and passenger amenities. The century-old station, built during the British era and classified as an ‘A’ grade station, still relies substantially on ageing infrastructure, they alleged.They claimed modernisation progressed at stations with comparatively lower passenger footfall, while work at Silchar, a major railhead serving the Barak Valley and adjoining areas, remained slow.The organisations flagged shortcomings in passenger amenities, security, drainage, station approaches, entrances, pathways and lighting.Their allegations come as NFR undertakes infrastructure and capacity augmentation projects in Guwahati and adjoining areas. Guwahati station handles over 50,000 passengers daily, rising to nearly 65,000 during peak periods, while more than 200 trains pass through it each day.Passenger bodies also raised concerns over the redevelopment of New Haflong station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, alleging that work remains incomplete nearly two years after it began.They urged the railway ministry to prioritise the three stations, citing their strategic importance and growing passenger traffic.
