is this thing dead ? , page-4

Thanks. Yes, the reason the GOM is keen for the line to happen is because it will open up the north to tourism plus allow more efficient transport of other goods (including the other mines in the area, existing and proposed) as well as passenger traffic. That's one of the reasons why AKM's Northern Rail expects to do well out of it. The GOM will get money out of the line as well.

The GOM is also very keen to see commodities sell to overseas locations in order to reduce their dependence on China. It should have the same gauge as the Russian lines so that should avoid changeovers (as you have with the Chinese gauge) and permit straight-through transport to Noble's proposed sea port.

See any of the recent AKM presentations for some excellent slides on this. AKM pushes the social and general economic benefits to the north very well IMO.

To my knowledge, the tardiness is not due to the government.