The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has achieved more than 95 per cent railway electrification across its network, marking a major milestone in the region's rail infrastructure development over the past 12 years.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said over 4,170 route kilometres have been electrified, transforming a network where electrification was virtually non-existent before 2014.
The extensive electrification drive has enabled faster, greener and more efficient train operations across the Northeast while reducing dependence on diesel-powered locomotives.
Sharma said the progress was supported by a sharp increase in budgetary allocations, which rose nearly fivefold from an average of Rs 2,122 crore during 2009-14 to Rs 11,486 crore for 2026-27.
Alongside electrification, NFR has laid more than 2,000 kilometres of new railway tracks, including new lines and doubling projects. Rail connectivity has also been extended to the capitals of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Mizoram, significantly improving transportation links in the region.
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Several strategic railway projects are currently under construction in Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur, which are expected to further strengthen connectivity and support economic growth.
Passenger amenities have also seen significant improvements. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, stations are being redeveloped with modern facilities, while services such as Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat Sleeper trains have enhanced travel options.
According to Sharma, NFR is undertaking major infrastructure projects, including a new rail-cum-road bridge alongside the existing Saraighat Bridge in Guwahati and a Wagon Periodic Overhauling Workshop at Basbari in Kokrajhar.
The railway zone is also looking to expand international connectivity through proposed rail links connecting Banarhat to Samtse and Kokrajhar to Gelephu in Bhutan.
Highlighting safety and environmental initiatives, Sharma said more than 500 road overbridges and underpasses have been constructed. NFR has also deployed AI-based elephant intrusion detection systems and installed canopy bridges for hoolock gibbons to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect biodiversity.
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