Railways in Assam

With roads and waterways failing to meet the growing demand for smooth and fast transportation
of passengers and goods from Assam, the introduction of railways was critical, as it was the only
remaining mode of communication.
The discourse on the introduction of railways in Assam from 1868-1873 centred on whether
the tea industry alone could sustain the railways as the area was a dead end. The economy to
them was not substantial to warrant railways with doubts expressed over its profitability.
In other parts of India railroads pierced lands teeming with population and agriculture and
connected such hinterland to the ports.
Following exhaustive surveys by the Geological Survey of India in 1874-1875 for coal outcrops
along the rivers Tirap to Desoi-based on earlier surveys in 1828-promoters of coal- mining were
vocal about the lack of reliable transportation as a hindrance to opening up these mines
commercially. The tea planters coupled with the coal mining lobby acted as a pressure group,
which resulted in the conception and construction of the Dibru-Sadiya railway in the metre
gauge.
The first railways to Assam were built in the 1860s. A railway line was built from Calcutta to
Paradaha in1862, and it was later extended to Goalundo in 1864. However, in the 1870s, the
then-Commissioner of Assam, Hopkinson, was opposed to railway expansion in the state.
However, the expansion of tea cultivation, as well as coal and oil exploration,
necessitated the construction of railways in Upper Assam. Dr. John Berry White, the Director of
the Assam Railways and Trading Company, took the initiative in this direction. Dr. Berry
White wrote to the then-Chief Commissioner of Assam, Steuart Bayley, in1878, requesting that
the state of communication to the steamer port of Dibrugarh be improved because the roads
were in poor condition. Bayley personally visited Dibrugarh and proposed the
construction of a meter-gauge railway from Dibrugarh to Sadiya via the Sadiya road, with the
promise of subsidy. This proposal was accepted by the Indian government, and a one-lakh rupee
subsidy was granted. The survey for building the railways began in 1880, and the first
consignment of rails, locomotives, and other equipment arrived in Dibrugarh in 1882. Following
that, on May 1, 1882, the first metre gauge railway line was laid from Dibrugarh steamer port to
Jaipur, which was later extended to Chabua by the end of the year. The coal fields of Upper
Assam were connected by railway lines by 1884.The Jorhat Provincial Railway opened in 1885,
connecting Mariani and Titabar teagardens with the river port of Kakilamukh. The Tezpur-
Balipara railway opened in the same year, connecting the Darrang district’s tea gardens with
Tezpur’s port. All of these railway lines were built by the Assam Railways Company, a
subsidiary of the Assam Railways and Trading Company, which was founded on July 30, 1881.
The Assam-Bengal Railway Company was founded in 1892 with the goal of
improving commercial mobility between East Bengal and Assam. As a result, efforts were made
to link Assam with the rest of India via the Barak or Surma Valley. The Assam-Bengal Railway
line from Chittagong to Badarpur was completed in 1896. The Badarpur-Lumding section of this
line took a long time to build because it was hilly, and it was completed in 1903. Assam and the
Chittagong port were connected by the Badarpur-Lumding railway line. The Assam-Bengal
Railway line’s Gauhati-Jamunamukh section was completed in 1903 after being opened in
1897. The East Bengal Railway Company was established in 1857 to serve the East Bengal
divisions of Rajshahi and Khulna. The company built a meter-gauge line from
Parbatipur to Dhubri in 1902. On the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, a section of this line
from Golakganj to Dhubri was the first meter-gauge network. Through the north bank, this line
was extended to Amingaon in 1909 and to Balipara in 1932. The East Bengal Railway Company
conducted a survey to build a meter-gauge line from Pandu to Shillong in 1918-19, but it was
never built because it was not economically viable. In the year 1920, the Silghat-Chaparmukh
railway line was built. In 1930, it opened a branch line from Senchoa to Moirabari. The Assam-
Bengal Railway Company and the East Bengal Railway Company merged in January 1942 to
form the Bengal-Assam Railway Company. The Parbatipur-Dhubri line was extended to Tinsukia
by this new company. As a result, it can be said that Assam’s railways advanced
significantly during the colonial period.
Effects:
During the colonial rule, the introduction of railways had a significant impact on the economy of
Assam. These are discussed below:-
1. Connectivity: The railways brought about improved connectivity within Assam and with
other regions of India. This facilitated the transportation of goods and people, leading to
increased trade and economic activities.
2. Tea Industry: The railways played a crucial role in the growth of the tea industry in
Assam. Tea plantations in remote areas became accessible due to railway lines, enabling
the transportation of tea leaves to markets and ports more efficiently.
3. Agricultural Development: The railways facilitated the transportation of agricultural
produce from Assam to other parts of India. This not only opened up new markets for
farmers but also encouraged the expansion of agricultural activities in the region.
4. Industrial Growth: The railways provided a means to transport raw materials and finished
goods, which contributed to the growth of industries in Assam. Industries such as jute,
coal, oil, and timber benefited from improved transportation infrastructure.
5. Employment Opportunities: The construction and operation of railways created
employment opportunities for the local population. Many people found jobs as railway
workers, contributing to the overall economic development of the region.
 6. Urbanization: The railways led to the growth of towns and cities along the railway lines.
This urbanization brought about the development of infrastructure, trade, and services,
further stimulating economic growth.
7. Reduced Transportation Costs: The railways offered a more cost-effective mode of
transportation compared to traditional methods like bullock carts or river transport. This
reduction in transportation costs positively impacted the economy by making goods more
affordable and accessible.
8. Integration with National Market: The railways integrated Assam’s economy with the
larger national market. This allowed for the exchange of goods, services, and ideas,
fostering economic development and integration with the rest of India.
Thus, railways played a pivotal role in the overall economic development of Assam during the
colonial rule. It brought about modernization, improved infrastructure, and facilitated the growth
of various sectors, contributing to the region’s economic prosperity.