The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has achieved a major milestone, with over 90 per cent of its 7,362-kilometre track network electrified, senior officials announced on Tuesday.

NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava shared the update during a meeting in Guwahati with Members of Parliament (MPs) from constituencies under the Rangiya and Lumding divisions. He said the NFR is steadily progressing towards 100 per cent electrification, while also expanding its network through new line projects.

“Prestigious trains such as the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express and Naharlagun–New Delhi Express are now operating with end-to-end electric traction,” Shrivastava stated.

Key Infrastructure Developments

The NFR has completed double-line work on key sections, including New Bongaigaon–Agthori, New Bongaigaon–Azara, and Guwahati–Lumding, while doubling up to New Tinsukia has already been sanctioned.

A new bridge over the Brahmaputra River near the existing Saraighat Bridge and a third railway line between Kamakhya and Guwahati have also been approved for construction.

Shrivastava noted that the NFR operates one of the most complex railway networks in India, spanning challenging hilly terrains with the highest number of tunnels, bridges, and the longest elephant corridors across the Indian Railways system.

Regional Connectivity and Modernisation

Highlighting recent achievements, the General Manager announced that Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, has been connected to the railway network for the first time, while freight services have commenced from Molvom railway station in Nagaland.

The NFR is also adopting AI-based technologies to enhance infrastructure safety, passenger comfort, and wildlife protection across its network.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 92 stations across NFR’s jurisdiction — including 60 in the Northeast region — are undergoing upgradation. Haibargaon railway station in Assam recently became the first Amrit station in the Northeast, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Collaboration with Lawmakers

The meeting was attended by 11 MPs from Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Manipur, along with senior railway officials including Divisional Railway Managers Anant Sadashiva (Rangiya) and Samir Lohani (Lumding). It was coordinated by Anurag Agarwal, Deputy General Manager, NFR.

According to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, the session aimed to update MPs on development projects and to invite feedback for improving railway connectivity, station facilities, and preservation of heritage assets.

The MPs shared valuable suggestions during the interactive session, which the General Manager assured would be implemented “to the extent feasible.”

The Northeast Frontier Railway currently operates across the Northeastern states, along with seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of Bihar, playing a pivotal role in connectivity, trade, and regional development.