Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that the proposed bullet train network will be extended to Guwahati, following discussions with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
According to Sarma, the initial plan was to bring the bullet train service up to West Bengal. However, he raised the demand for extending it to Guwahati.
He said railway officials had pointed out technical difficulties in laying another railway line through the 22-kilometre Chicken's Neck corridor, where space is limited and existing road and railway infrastructure already occupies much of the area.
Sarma said Vaishnaw had assured him that an alternative would be considered. He further claimed that the Prime Minister had now approved the extension to Guwahati, with a new track to be built parallel to the existing railway line.
The Chief Minister said the project would take time, but claimed that Guwahati's inclusion in the bullet train network was now certain.
