Meghalaya is a beautiful state in India that is fondly known as the abode of clouds. The state has finally welcomed its first electric locomotive-hauled train today. With the electrification of two key routes, this beautiful northeastern state witnessed this amazing historic moment. India’s Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared the video of the first glimpse of his moment with the country on his official Twitter account.
Meghalaya Welcomes Electric Train
On March 15, the Northeast Frontier Railway completed a 22.823-kilometer single-line stretch of Dudhnoi-Mendipathar and a 34.59-kilometer double-line section between Abhayapuri and Pancharatna.
Mendipathar is currently the only railway station in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, having been inaugurated by the prime minister in 2014. Trains hauled by electric locomotives will now be able to operate directly from Mendipathar in Meghalaya following the commissioning of electric traction.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics and Information Technology of India, shared the video of the first electric train in the state. The video features an electric locomotive being flagged off from the station.
Electric Train for the first time in Meghalaya. pic.twitter.com/H4hrdBa4SV
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 17, 2023
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Netizens Are Overjoyed To See This Development
More passenger and freight trains will be able to operate at full sectional speeds through these sections. This section will also see an increase in punctuality. Electric locomotives hauling parcels and freight trains from other states will be able to reach Meghalaya directly.
Electrification will significantly improve train mobility in northeast India, as well as reduce pollution from the switch from fossil fuel to electricity. It will also improve the efficiency of the region’s railway system.
This would improve traffic flow and save time for trains travellling to and from the northeastern states, in addition to saving money on foreign exchange.
Netizens were overjoyed to see this development and could not stop praising the minister of railways as well as the Indian government. Many also mentioned the Amritkaal Mahotsav, an initiative by Prime Minister Modi. The video has by far garnered 27.4K likes on Twitter.
Transforming North East!
— Shreyash Singh (@shreyashsingh07) March 17, 2023
Finally, after 75 years and at the start of Amritkaal, trains will fly in the State of Clouds 🙏🏻
— Old_Saffron (@TotagiR) March 17, 2023
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Cover Image Courtesy: @ashwinivaishnaw/Twitter