To increase operational efficiency and thereby improve services, as many as seven important projects are being implemented and 17 more are being planned in N. F. Railway which would help to run trains better and enhance capacity for more freight handling in the near future. The seven ongoing projects have a total outlay of more than Rs. 645 crores. The 17 planned projects would cost about Rs 123 crores.
Under these seven ongoing projects, Silghat station in middle Assam would be developed into a full-fledged terminal station with provisions for Pit Line & Sick Lines (for train maintenance), watering facilities etc. At the same time, Senchoa / Haiborgaon stations would be provided with goods circulating area and approach road to make them ready for handling freight.
According to the plans, Gangarampur station under Katihar Division would be upgraded from D class to B class stations with added amenities and convenience for passengers and major improvements to goods circulating area and freight handling capacity of New Jalpaiguri Station would be completed shortly.
N. F. Railway is also planning to upgrade Tipkai and Basbari stations in lower Assam from D class to B class shortly at an approximate cost of Rs. 37 crore. There are plans for the remodelling of Agartala and Badarpur stations to make them capable of receiving two trains from opposite directions simultaneously. Besides, additional lines are being planned at Dharmanagar, Salchapra, Silchar and New Guwahati stations.
N. F. Railway is also carrying out a survey to construct a new railway line bypassing Guwahati city to tackle with the problem of line capacity constraint when doubling of the railway line from New Bongaigaon to Kamakhya is completed. However, this is at a very early stage and a decision can be arrived at only after completion of the survey.
It is expected that after completion of the above projects, N. F. Railway would be able to considerably enhance its operational efficiency for providing better service to the Northeastern region.
