Chinese Will Start Howling When Tawang Gets On Indian Rail Map
The Tawang Rail Project had been discussed more than a year back between the Union Minister of State for Railways and senior officials of North Eastern Frontier Railways (NFR) to review the status of new rail projects in the state. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh was also present.
Tawang town, is the headquarters of Tawang District and situated at a height of 3,048 metres above sea level. Popular among tourists, the place is also a sacred site for Buddhists.
The famous Bumla Pass, on the India Tibet border is just 37 km away from the Tawang town and a very prominent meeting point on the border between the India Army and the Chinese Army occupying Tibet.
Indian Railways has been asked to build a new strategic railway line in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district. This railway line is being planned at a height of 10,000 feet! Once complete, the new railway line would considerably reduce the travel time to Tawang.
The length of the existing road from Bhalukpung to Tawang is 285 km. However, the railway line would be laid along in such way that the distance would be reduced to just 166 km.
Almost 80% of the railway line would pass through tunnels, the longest tunnel being 29.48 km. As the strategic location of the district is close to the international border with China, the project is likely to be implemented on a priority basis. The survey for the line has already been cleared.
In order to shorten the distance, the railways have also suggested two-lane roads along all the tunnels to be developed on the line. In Arunachal Pradesh, survey on 11 new railway lines is in progress while two other surveys have been completed already.
Out of these, the Bhalukpung-Tenga-Tawang railway line, the Pasighat-Tezu-Parasuramkund-Rupai railway line and the Silapathar-Bame-Aalo railway line have been identified by the NSCS (National Security Council Secretariat).
The report also stated that the amount for the development of these lines are being funded by the Defence Ministry. once the survey is completed and formalities are cleared, the Bhalukpung-Tenga-Tawang line is likely to be ready in 6-7 years.
