The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northeast Frontier Circle (CRS), Sumeet Singhal, authorised train operations on the newly laid 15.7 km broad-gauge line connecting Murkongselek in Assam to Sille in Arunachal Pradesh following inspections and speed trials on February 12 and 13, 2026. The CRS sanctioned running of services at a maximum permissible speed of 110 km/h. The clearance permits regular movements on the newly commissioned section.

The section forms part of the ongoing 26.15 km Murkongselek Pasighat new railway line project aimed at enhancing rail connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh. The project extends from Murkongselek to Pasighat and includes three new stations at Sille, Labo and Pasighat. The alignment contains 27 major bridges and other infrastructure works necessary for year-round operations.

Officials said the approval is expected to facilitate increased passenger and freight movement in the region while improving travel convenience for local residents. The new connection is intended to reduce travel time and transportation costs and to ensure a more reliable supply of essential goods for remote areas. Enhanced mobility is also anticipated to support regional trade and tourism.

Once fully completed, the line will extend long distance connectivity up to Pasighat via the Rangiya Murkongselek route and the Bogibeel Bridge, linking the region more efficiently with major destinations across the country. The development builds on earlier rail links to Arunachal Pradesh that first reached Itanagar with the Harmuti Naharlagun connection in March 2014. Passenger services on that route began on April 7, 2014 and the Naharlagun New Delhi AC Express was introduced in February 2015.

Rail authorities anticipate that the expanded network will support economic development in Arunachal Pradesh by improving access to markets and services and by fostering investment and job creation. The operational clearance on the Murkongselek Sille section represents a step towards completing the entire Murkongselek Pasighat corridor and improving the resilience of transport links in the north-east.