OREANDA-NEWS. September 8, 2011.  Augmentation/expansion of rail connectivity, including the one in North-Eastern Region is a continuous and ongoing activity. The North-Eastern Region is already connected to the rest of the country and the Golden Quadrilateral (since there is no Golden Triangle) through the Guwahati-Delhi and Guwahati-Howrah routes. As on April 1, 2011, twelve New Line Projects, four Gauge Conversion Projects and two Doubling Projects are under execution in the North-Eastern Region that will improve rail-connectivity.

Eight New Line Projects and two Gauge Conversion Projects have been declared as National Projects and a dedicated fund (NERRDF) has been created to implement these projects. Under the New Line Projects all Northeast State Capitals, except that of Sikkim, would get connected by rail. However, Sivok-Rangpo new line project which will provide connectivity to Sikkim, has been taken up.

 This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.