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Maligaon, April 20 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has registered remarkable achievements in track modernisation, maintenance and safety during financial year 2025-26, setting multiple new benchmarks in the zone’s history.
In a major technological milestone, NFR introduced Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) for Flash Butt Welds during the third quarter of 2024-25, testing a total of 53,544 welds in 2025-26, significantly strengthening track safety and reliability.
The zone recorded its highest-ever track renewal progress, completing 457 Complete Track Renewal (CTR) units, a 33.07 per cent increase over the previous year’s 343.08 units. Rail renewals of 449.42 track kilometres (TKM) were also completed, marking another record, while sleeper renewals reached 465.02 TKM against an annual target of 502 TKM.
A record 9.57 lakh cubic metres of ballast was supplied and inserted during the year, six per cent higher than the previous year’s 9.01 lakh cubic metres, contributing to enhanced riding quality and track stability.
Track fittings renewal achieved a cumulative progress of 299.61 km against a target of 205 km, exceeding it by 46.15 per cent. A total of 4,312 points were tamped, surpassing the annual target of 4,150 by 3.9 per cent.
Loop line speeds were upgraded from 15 kmph to 30 kmph at 39 stations, surpassing the previous year’s progress of 21 stations. Deep screening of 258 turnouts was completed, exceeding the annual target by 47.43 per cent.
Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing covered 20,212.61 km, against an annual target of 19,217 km, while 23 track layouts were successfully rectified.
Safety infrastructure received a major boost with the erection of 154.53 km of safety fencing against a target of 100 km, exceeding it by 54.53 per cent, playing a crucial role in preventing trespassing and ensuring safer railway operations.
