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Maligaon, January 12 (MExN): Indian Railways is ushering in a comprehensive transformation of rail infrastructure in Assam through sustained investment, modern technology and a strong passenger-centric approach, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) stated today.
In a press release, the NFR noted that railway development in Assam has been prioritised since 2014, resulting in expanded connectivity, increased capacity and upgraded facilities across the state.
Over the last five years, 416 km of new railway track has been constructed in the state, including the 50-km Bilasipara–Abhayapuri new line completed in 2021 and 366 km of doubling works, it said.
Assam’s railway network now comprises 2,571 route kilometres and 4,199 track kilometres.
Electrification has reached about 95%, covering 2,456 route kilometres, with the remaining 116 km nearing completion.
As a result, long-distance services such as the Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express and the Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express are now operating entirely on electric traction, the release said.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 50 stations in Assam are being redeveloped, with Haibargaon station inaugurated as first such station in Assam in in May 2025.
The NFR also reported the installation of 46 lifts (24 in Assam), 33 escalators (21 in Assam) and Wi-Fi facilities at 218 stations across the state.
It further noted that Assam has joined India’s semi-high-speed rail network with the introduction of the Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express.
It also announced the forthcoming introduction of a first-ever sleeper-class Vande Bharat Express between Kamakhya and Kolkata, along with two Amrit Bharat non-AC trains on the Dibrugarh–Gomtinagar and Kamakhya–Rohtak routes.
On safety and sustainability, the NFR highlighted the construction of over 28 road overbridges and 270 road underbridges, closure of 152 level crossing gates, and deployment of an AI-based intrusion detection system for elephant protection.
Rail heritage initiatives include the Railway Heritage Park and Museum at New Tinsukia.
As per the NFR, major ongoing and sanctioned projects include the Lumding–Dibrugarh doubling, the New Saraighat rail-cum-road bridge targeted for completion by 2029, an elevated corridor between Azara and Kamakhya, a third line between Kamakhya and New Guwahati, and the 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu (Bhutan) new line sanctioned in September 2025.
Additional initiatives cited include five Gati Shakti cargo terminals, installation of over 1,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras at 50 stations, and the use of drone-based and robotic technologies for maintenance and inspection, it informed.
These developments align closely with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has consistently emphasised connectivity as the backbone of inclusive growth, it added.
