Guwahati, 29 August (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking to media persons after a programme last night, said that the railway route between Guwahati and Delhi will be upgraded to four lines.

The Chief Minister said work on converting seven railway tracks across the country into four-line routes is already progressing rapidly. He also informed that work on the second railway bridge at Saraighat is expected to begin soon.

Dr. Sarma said the expansion of the railway network would lead to an increase in both passenger and freight train services between Assam and the rest of the country.

On the political front, the Chief Minister alleged that Congress is trying to turn the ongoing eviction drives against alleged encroachers into an electoral issue ahead of the by-election in Nagaon.

He alleged that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has begun preparations for the Nagaon by-election by making the eviction issue a political weapon. Dr. Sarma further claimed that Gogoi had announced his support for protecting Bangladeshi-origin Muslim settlers in Dhing.

The Chief Minister alleged that Congress was attempting to use the eviction issue to gain electoral benefits and claimed that illegal occupants would be encouraged to vote for the party to avoid eviction.

Dr. Sarma's remarks came while highlighting the proposed expansion of rail connectivity as a major development for Assam.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash