Itanagar, April 18: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu today welcomed the sanctioning of eight new railway lines in the state and said it was a "courageous" decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the lines up to Tawang.

"I have to complement the railway ministry for the decision. The Centre has been kind in accepting our proposals," he said.

Khandu's praise for Modi assumes significance since Tawang is claimed by China as part of South Tibet. Beijing had strongly opposed the Dalai Lama's visit to Tawang earlier this month saying it will adversely affect bilateral ties with Delhi.

The eight new railway lines are - Itakhola to Seijosa (18km), Doomdooma-Namsai-Wakro (96km), Dangri to Roing (60km) Naharkatia to Deomali (20km), Lekhapani-Nampong-New Khamlang-Deben (75km) and Tinsukia to Pasighat via Kanubari (300km).

Terming it as dream come true, Khandu said things have started to move, during a visit by NFR general manager H.K. Jaggi along with officials to the chief minister's office.

Officials said preliminary survey has been completed for three railway lines - Bhalukpong-Tenga-Tawang (378km), North Lakhimpur-Bame-Aalo-Silapathar (247.85km) and Pasighat-Roing-Tezu-Parsuram Kund-Rupai (227km) - and detailed on-location survey will commence soon. They said survey for the eight new railway lines has been sanctioned.

Khandu requested the officials to post a chief engineer (survey) to the state to monitor the ongoing survey work and they agreed.

Officials said the survey for Pasighat-Tezu-Parashuram Kund-Rupai line is expected to be completed early as the area has no mountain to cut through.

The officials also gave a presentation on the status of the 26km Murkong Selek-Pasighat rail road for which land has been identified and the acquisition process is on.

Khandu yesterday said the State Board for Wildlife will meet twice a year and the creation of eco-sensitive zones around protected areas would be taken up for cabinet discussion soon.