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
