NBQ workshop of NFR sets benchmarks in railway maintenance and innovation

MALIGAON, MAY 13 (MExN): The New Bongaigaon (NBQ) Workshop under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is making notable strides in coach and wagon maintenance, infrastructure innovation, and sustainability, with a string of recent initiatives aimed at enhancing operational reliability and passenger comfort.

One of the major technological upgrades at the workshop is the installation of a D-Cal cutting plotter machine, which has replaced the conventional screen-printing process for coach side and end wall lettering. Unlike screen-printed labels that fade and wear over time, the D-Cal system provides durable, visually appealing lettering, thereby improving the long-term aesthetics and maintenance of coaches.

In another development, the NBQ Workshop has successfully overhauled the Electro-Pneumatic Pressurized Flushing System (EPPFS) used in coaches—a system previously plagued by frequent en-route failures and passenger complaints via the Rail Madad platform. The upgraded maintenance process includes dismounting and servicing the water pressurizer unit, and thorough testing of control panels, non-return valves, and air filters, resulting in significantly improved reliability of the system.

Furthering its commitment to green energy, the workshop has commissioned a 1 MW rooftop solar power project. Despite periodic weather constraints, the system generates an average of 3,850 KWH daily, with projected annual generation of around 14, 05,250 KWH. With the power purchase rate fixed at Rs 4.30 per unit—compared to Rs 9.39 per unit from the local distribution company—the project is expected to save the railways over Rs 71.5 lakh annually.

The workshop has also developed an in-house roof leak testing facility for covered wagons. The shower-testing arrangement allows for effective detection and repair of even minor roof leaks and hairline cracks. All wagons are now tested before and after periodical overhauls (POH), ensuring their structural integrity and safeguarding cargo, particularly during adverse weather conditions.