Northeast Frontier Railway electrifies 64% of its network

24 Oct 2024 CW Team

Indian Railways has expressed its ambition to become the world’s largest “Green Railways,” targeting 100% electrification and net-zero carbon emissions. In line with this vision, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has been intensifying efforts to electrify its remaining Broad-Gauge routes. The NFR is said to be at the forefront of this movement, with 64% of its total network reportedly electrified. It was mentioned that Assam has seen the greatest progress, followed by Tripura and smaller sections in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, reportedly stated that 2,070.52 Route Kilometers (RKM) had already been electrified within the NFR, which covers a total network of 4,260.52 RKMs. Out of the eight northeastern states, Assam has electrified 1,353.23 RKMs, with Tripura following at 151.59 RKMs. Additionally, smaller segments in other northeastern regions are said to have seen progress.

The electrification work, being undertaken by IRCON India, RITES, and NFR Construction, is expected to not only enhance the speed and frequency of train services but also make train transportation in the northeast greener and more efficient. This shift to electric power is anticipated to lower emissions, reduce reliance on crude oil imports, and improve the punctuality and overall flow of rail traffic by minimising delays caused by traction changes

Building Material

15 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Easier Green Clearances for New Airports

The central government is preparing to streamline environmental clearance procedures for airport projects to accelerate infrastructure development across the country. According to officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to establish a single-window mechanism for faster approval of greenfield and brownfield airports. The proposal seeks to reduce the time required for obtaining environmental clearance by simplifying inter-ministerial coordination and standardising assessment parameters. The move is part of ..

Beer Makers Urge Import Relaxation Amid Aluminium Can Shortage

India’s domestic beer manufacturers have urged the government to relax import rules and cut duties on aluminium cans as the industry faces a severe shortage of packaging material. The shortage, driven by rising demand and limited local supply, has disrupted production schedules for several breweries. Industry representatives have written to the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, seeking temporary relief through faster import approvals and reduced customs duties. They warn that the situation could impact the availability of beer across key markets during the festive season. A..

India Surpasses Japan as World’s Third-Largest Auto Market

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market, marking a major milestone for the country’s manufacturing and mobility sector. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, credited the achievement to India’s growing production capacity, rising domestic demand, and sustained policy support for localisation and innovation. The country’s vehicle sales and manufacturing output have surged in recent years, positioning it just behind China and the United States. According to industry estimates, India’s automobile sector supports over 3..