MALIGAON, October 23 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is executing a series of major railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and economic growth in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
The initiatives are part of a broader push to integrate the region more closely with the national rail network and spur regional development under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision, a press release stated.
A cornerstone of this development drive is a proposed Wagon Periodic Overhauling (POH) Workshop at Basbari in the Kokrajhar district. NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava recently inspected the proposed site alongside senior officials and representatives of the Bodoland Territorial Council.
The modern facility, to be built on approximately 2,500 bighas of land, will be developed in phases. The first phase, costing Rs 256.35 crore, will have an initial capacity to service 75 wagons per month, with plans to scale up to 250 wagons per month in subsequent phases.
Strategically located near Basbari station and Rupsi Airport, the workshop is expected to become a significant logistics hub, creating large-scale employment and skill development opportunities for the local population while boosting the NFR's wagon maintenance capabilities.
NFR is also spearheading the Kokrajhar–Gelephu New Railway Line Project. This 69-kilometre cross-border rail link, connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan, has been declared a 'Special Railway Project' by the Government of India.
With an estimated cost of Rs. 4,033 crore, the project is poised to open new avenues for trade, tourism, and regional cooperation, aligning with India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies. It is set to position Kokrajhar as a key gateway for India-Bhutan rail and logistics operations.
Further enhancing regional rail infrastructure, the NFR has initiated station modernization works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). Key stations in the BTAD region, including Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon Hat, Fakiragram, Udalguri, Tangla, and Majbat, are being upgraded.
The redevelopment efforts focus on improving passenger amenities, redeveloping station buildings, creating better circulation areas, and implementing modern façade designs to offer world-class facilities.
Connectivity from the BTAD region has also seen a substantial boost. Premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express now regularly halt at Kokrajhar station, providing high-speed and comfortable travel to major cities across the country. Additionally, several new stoppages for express and passenger trains have been introduced at key BTAD stations such as Gossaigaon Hat, Fakiragram, Basugaon, Bijni, Tangla, Udalguri, and Majbat, significantly improving travel convenience for local commuters.
