Meghalaya gets its 1st Electric Train

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 17: Meghalaya got its first electric trains after the NF Railway has commissioned Dudhnoi – Mendipathar (22.823 Track Kilometre) single line section and Abhayapuri – Pancharatna (34.59 Track Kilometre) double line section on March 15, in an endeavor for complete electrification.

The Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE) has carried out the electrification works in these sections.

Mendipathar is the only railway station in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya which is in operation since 2014 after being inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De said.

After commissioning of electric traction, trains hauled by electric locomotive will now be able to operate directly from Mendipathar in Meghalaya which will increase the average speed.

More passenger and freight carrying trains will be able to operate through these sections with full sectional speeds. Punctuality will also increase in this section.

Parcel and freight carrying trains hauled by electric locomotives from other states will be able to reach Meghalaya directly.

Electrification will significantly improve the mobility of trains in Northeast India.

In addition to the reduction in pollution due to the shift from fossil fuel to electricity, the efficiency of the Railway system in the region will also improve.

This would facilitate seamless traffic and also save time of the trains moving to and from northeastern states apart from savings in precious foreign exchange.

Meghalaya Police foil bid to smuggle marijuana in East Jaintia Hills

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 14: Two persons were arrested along with over 71 kgs of marijuana in the East Jaintia Hills district on 14th morning. They have been identified as Babalu Singh (56) of Kale Diara, Patna and Saranjan Mahto (39) of Bihar, district police chief Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said.

ALSO READ: No payment needed for new LPG connection says Meghalaya RTI activist

He said a Naka was set up by the ANTF team and staff of the anti-infiltration Umtyra CP after receiving credible information that two drug suppliers are travelling in a Maruti Sx4 (As 01 AN 3312) with suspected contraband concealed in the vehicle moving from Kalain towards Khliehriat.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya High Court orders CISF deployment to check illegal coal transport

Their vehicle was intercepted while it was coming from Lumshnong at 6.15 am. On a search being conducted, 117 packets of suspected contraband were found hidden under the rear bumper and backlight.

A preliminary test of the suspected contraband was conducted and showed positive results for Marijuana weighing 71.476 kgs, the SP said.

A case under the appropriate section of the NDPS Act has been registered at Khliehriat police station and an investigation is on to trace the forward and backward linkages, he added.