MALIGAON, NOVEMBER 27 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has made significant progress in its electrification efforts, achieving over 66% of its target as part of Indian Railways’ broader goal to electrify the entire network and reduce carbon emissions to net-zero.
As of November 2024, NFR has successfully electrified 2,827.74 Route Kilometres (RKM), out of a total target of 4,260.52 RKM, demonstrating significant annual progress in modernizing the rail network, stated a press release issued by CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma on Wednesday.
The electrification covers various divisions, including Lumding (986.76 RKM), Katihar (747.12 RKM), Alipurduar (618.75 RKM), Rangiya (433.8 RKM), and Tinsukia (41.31 RKM). Assam leads with the most electrified tracks at 1,401.46 RKM, followed by West Bengal (935.94 RKM), Bihar (318.87 RKM), and Tripura (151.58 RKM). The electrification efforts have also expanded into Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur, marking NFR’s commitment to inclusive infrastructure development across the North-Eastern region.
In the previous fiscal year, NFR electrified 921.62 RKM, with an additional 244.6 RKM completed up until November 2024. The railway aims to electrify 1,573 RKM during the current financial year, pushing the overall electrification project forward.
Premier agencies such as Indian Railway Construction International Limited (IRCON), Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), and NFR/construction are responsible for executing these large-scale electrification works. The completion of this ambitious project is expected to deliver significant benefits, including reduced dependence on crude oil, improved train punctuality, higher speeds, and more eco-friendly, energy-efficient rail operations, the press release stated.
NFR’s electrification drive is poised to modernize the transportation infrastructure in the region, enhancing connectivity, supporting economic growth, and contributing to environmental sustainability. This is a crucial step towards providing a greener, more efficient transportation network that connects the far-flung North-Eastern states to the rest of the nation.
