Majbat Railway Station redeveloped: Assam CM thanks Modi for 117-year-old station upgrade
Synopsis
A 117-year-old British-era station in Assam's Udalguri district has been formally redeveloped under the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme — blending heritage preservation with modern amenities. With 50 Assam stations in the pipeline, the project signals a sustained infrastructure push in the Northeast that goes beyond symbolic upgrades.
Key Takeaways
Majbat Railway Station in Udalguri district, Assam , has been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) .
The station was originally established around 1909 , making it over 117 years old .
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked PM Narendra Modi for dedicating the upgraded station on 17 July .
A total of 50 railway stations across Assam are being redeveloped under the same initiative.
The scheme upgrades passenger amenities and accessibility while incorporating local architectural features.
The station historically served as a key hub for tea, timber, and agricultural produce movement in northern Assam.
The 117-year-old Majbat Railway Station in Assam's Udalguri district has been redeveloped under the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 17 July thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for formally dedicating the upgraded facility. The historic station, first established around 1909 during the British era, has been equipped with modern passenger amenities and contemporary infrastructure while retaining its heritage character.
What Sarma Said
In a post on X, Chief Minister Sarma wrote: 'Grateful to Adarniya Narendra Modi Ji for dedicating the redeveloped Majbat Railway Station. This 117-year-old station has been transformed with modern amenities under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Across Assam, 50 stations are being upgraded under this initiative.' The statement underscores the state government's framing of the project as a symbol of the Centre's commitment to Northeast infrastructure.
About the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is the Centre's flagship railway modernisation programme, aimed at upgrading stations across India by improving passenger amenities, accessibility, and physical infrastructure, while incorporating local architectural features. Majbat is one of 50 Assam stations currently being redeveloped under the initiative, according to the Chief Minister. The scheme's approach at Majbat seeks to balance heritage conservation with functional upgrades — a template being applied to older stations with historical significance.
Historical Significance of Majbat Station
Established around 1909, Majbat Railway Station served as a vital transport node connecting the tea-growing regions of northern Assam with major commercial centres for over a century. The station facilitated the movement of tea, timber, agricultural produce, and passengers, and its strategic location strengthened connectivity between remote areas of the state and the broader rail network. Over the decades, it evolved into a socio-economic lifeline for the region, supporting trade, education, and healthcare access for communities in Majbat and neighbouring areas.
Broader Railway Push in Assam
The Majbat redevelopment is part of a wider expansion of railway infrastructure in Assam in recent years, which has included electrification of rail routes, doubling of railway lines, and the introduction of new train services aimed at improving connectivity within the Northeast and with the rest of the country. The Assam government has maintained that improved rail infrastructure will play a key role in boosting tourism, trade, and regional connectivity — particularly in interior districts that have historically been underserved. The large-scale station upgradation under ABSS is expected to improve passenger convenience and support economic activity across different parts of the state.
Point of View
And individual dedications — however historic the station — risk becoming photo-op moments unless the broader rollout stays on schedule. The scheme's stated goal of blending heritage conservation with modern amenities is the right instinct; the test is whether the upgrades translate into measurable improvements in passenger footfall, freight movement, and last-mile connectivity for interior districts that still depend heavily on rail access.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme?
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is the Centre's flagship programme to modernise railway stations across India by upgrading passenger amenities, improving accessibility, and enhancing infrastructure while incorporating local architectural features. It covers hundreds of stations nationally, with 50 stations in Assam currently being redeveloped under the initiative.
How old is Majbat Railway Station and where is it located?
Majbat Railway Station was established around 1909 during the British era, making it over 117 years old. It is located in Assam's Udalguri district and has historically served as a key transport hub for the tea-growing regions of northern Assam.
Why did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma thank PM Modi?
Chief Minister Sarma thanked Prime Minister Modi for formally dedicating the redeveloped Majbat Railway Station on 17 July. In a post on X, Sarma credited the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for transforming the 117-year-old station with modern passenger amenities.
How many railway stations in Assam are being upgraded?
According to Chief Minister Sarma, 50 railway stations across Assam are currently being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The large-scale upgradation is expected to improve passenger convenience and support economic activity across the state.
What was the historical role of Majbat Railway Station?
Majbat Railway Station served for over a century as a vital transport node connecting the tea-growing regions of northern Assam with major commercial centres, facilitating movement of tea, timber, agricultural produce, and passengers. It also strengthened connectivity between remote communities and the broader national rail network.
