ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has urged Union railway minister Piyush Goyal to expedite the ongoing railway projects in the state for ensuring a robust rail network.There are 11 railway projects in the state under various stages of implementation. These are Bhalukpong-Tenga-Tawang (378 km), Silapathar- Bame-Aalo (92 km), Pasighat-Tezu-Parshuram Kund-Rupai (225 km), Itakhola-Seijosa (18 km), Dumduma-Namsai-Wakro (96 km), Dangri-Roing (60 km), Deomali-Naharkatia (20 km), Lekhapani-Kharsang-Miao-Nampong-New Kamlang (Deban) (75 km), Tinsukia-Pasighat via Simalguri-Kanubari (300 km), Margherita-Deomali (31 km) and Murkongselek-Pasighat (26.15 km).Of these, survey for the last two projects has been completed. The Misamari-Bhalukpong-Tawang line would be one of the toughest and highest in the country. The railway line is expected to include at least 21 bridges and 145 km through tunnels.Khandu, during a meeting with the minister in New Delhi on Tuesday, expressed his gratitude to the ministries of defence and railways for the projects and requested the minister to fast-track sanctioning of funds for the projects for which survey is already over. He also urged the ministry to monitor the survey process so that work is completed as scheduled and construction of railway lines begins soon, an official communique said.The chief minister drew the attention of Goyal, who also holds the finance portfolio at the moment, towards the urgent need of setting up an airport in the state capital. On Monday, Khandu had met minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha and discussed the issue. Sinha reportedly expressed the ministry's commitment to develop a robust and expansive aviation network in the northeast in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's vision of 'sab uden , sab juden'.Admitting that connectivity is the key to all-round development of Arunachal Pradesh, Goyal said his ministry is committed to assisting the state in all possible ways.

Stay updated with all the Latest Itanagar headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.