Nagaon, March 29: Birbhadra Rajiyung was full of joy as the goods train chugged along the Lumding-Silchar broad gauge route yesterday afternoon.

Rajiyung feels the historic journey might just bring a ray of hope for a tourism destination close to his home - the Hajong lake. Situated near his residence at Hajong, the lake covering an area of 40,000 square metres is known for 10 varieties of turtles. Hajong village is around 22km from Maibong town in Dima Hasao district.

'I have grown up near the lake. Unfortunately, lack of communication has been its bane. Now that we have a broad gauge train service, the Hajong lake could be promoted and developed into a tourist spot,' the 25-year-old felt.

The Dimasa youth also recalled how his father, Nirmal, a retired soldier, had told him 20 years ago about the tourism potential of the lake and how improved connectivity to neighbouring Maibong could help in its development.

According to a legend, a small village was present where the lake is located now and the villagers were punished by God and 'turned to turtles' after they earned his wrath for annoying him.

Since the pre-Independence era, Hajong lake was a big attraction for tourists but topographical complexity coupled with poor communication and unfavourable law and order situation, had posed obstacles for development of the site into a tourist spot.

The North Cachar Hills district autonomous council, for its part, has been organising a tortoise festival to promote the site, in February every year.

The council's chief executive member, Debojit Thaosen, said keeping in view the tourism potential, steps would be taken to arrange the tortoise festival in a bigger way at Hajong from now on.

'Our mission is to make Dima Hasao popular for its natural beauty and resources and the train service through the heart of the hill district might do wonders for boosting tourism,' he said.

According to a Lumding railway source, from now onwards, the 45km distance between Lumding and Maibong would be covered in 90 minutes.

'In metre gauge track, a visitor from Guwahati could complete a tour of Maibong in a day's time,' the railway source said.

The 210km-long Lumding-Silchar rail route was announced in 1994. The gauge conversion project was sanctioned in 1996-97 and the latest anticipated cost is about Rs 3,500 crore. As many as 70 workers engaged in construction had lost their lives in militant attacks as a good part of the stretch falls in Dima Hasao district.

'The bad days are now history as most of the militant outfits active in the hill district have laid down their arms. Now, steps should be taken to develop Jatinga, Boraille, lakes in Haflong town, Hajong and other historical sites in Maibong and make them attractive for tourists,' said Haflong entrepreneur Delai Dao Daulagupu.