Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which has its headquarters in Maligaon, has recently launched a number of projects to improve passenger amenities and railway infrastructure throughout the region, including Assam.
Among the projects are the construction of new Gati Shakti cargo terminals, the installation of a thorough plastic waste management system, the conversion of some passenger trains from traditional ICF coaches to cutting-edge Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rakes, and the provision of pathways on railway bridges.
The zone has recently undertaken a number of improvements to enhance passenger facilities and modernize infrastructure. For instance, during the current fiscal year, the NFR updated some of its passenger trains from traditional ICF coaches to contemporary LHB rakes, and a few more are in the process of being converted.
According to an official, this program is a part of Indian Railways continuous modernization efforts to improve passenger safety, ride comfort, and operational efficiency.
He went on to say that LHB rakes provide better safety features, increased speed capability, lower maintenance needs, and an all-around better passenger experience.
The Sealdah-Silchar Kanchanjunga Express was recently updated with an LHB rake, among other things. Additionally, the Silchar-Agartala Express and the Tinsukia Junction-Naharlagun Express are being upgraded.
According to the official, "more such conversions are being evaluated based on operational feasibility, demand, and availability of rolling stock."
In order to provide routes, NFR has also identified about 940 railway bridges throughout the zone, and construction is currently underway on more than 550 of them.
Over 450 bridges are expected to be covered over the next five years, with a goal of finishing walkways on 109 bridges in the current fiscal year 2025-2026.
With 250 of these bridges, Rangiya division has the most. Additionally, the official stated that there are 103 in the Tinsukia division and 227 in the Lumding division.
According to him, having paths on bridges has several advantages, such as improving railroad workers' safety by giving them a safe way to travel.
Additionally, they provide simpler access to bridge structures for routine maintenance and inspection and lower the danger of accidents and injuries.
The routes also make it easier for loco pilots and technical personnel to get to the scene quickly in an emergency, like when a rake stalls on a bridge, according to the official. Additionally, NFR is striving to make the Guwahati train station entirely recyclable.
With technical assistance from IIT Guwahati, this project is being developed through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between NFR, the Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA), and a local authorized recycler.
It creates a replicable paradigm for efficient plastic waste management by fusing scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, and practical implementation.
NFR has put in place a thorough plastic waste management system as part of this program, which includes composting units, bottle crushing machines, color-coded dustbins for segregation, and QR code-based monitoring for real-time efficiency tracking.
The official stated that single-use plastics in trains have been replaced by environmentally friendly biodegradable bags created by IIT Guwahati, greatly lowering the amount of plastic trash produced.
In Assam, six new Gati Shakti cargo ports are presently being built. It is anticipated that the project will greatly improve the freight logistics ecosystem and lower logistics costs for businesses in Assam and the surrounding states.
One of these new terminals, built at Baihata by BR Transcon Ltd. at an estimated cost of Rs 245, is probably going to start up shortly.
Each month, it will manage over twenty-five freight rakes. In addition to a unique ramp for handling cars, the Baihata terminal features three new goods lines, an electronic in-motion weighbridge, a sturdy goods circulating area with two goods platforms, and high-mast lighting to enable round-the-clock operations.
The Central government launched the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy in 2022 to encourage the construction of cutting-edge logistic terminals with the involvement of significant industry partners.
The last five terminals are being built in Basugaon, Chaygaon, Kendukona, Jogighopa, and Habaipur, Lanka. By installing Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) at different stations, NFR is also attempting to improve the digital ticketing system, according to officials.
"The use of ATVMs is intended to encourage digital ticketing, ease traffic at Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) counters, and allow travelers to swiftly purchase unreserved journey and platform tickets via a smooth and cashless interface.
Passengers may now enjoy quicker ticketing services, particularly during busy travel times, thanks to the ability to utilize smart cards, which reduces waiting times at traditional booking counters, according to an official.
In recent months, ATVMs have been installed at a number of Assamese stations, including Kokrajhar, Dalgaon, Fakiragram Junction, Dhubri, and Gossaigaon Hat.
