Guwahati, Dec 28 (NationPress) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has showcased remarkable progress in enhancing rail infrastructure, safety protocols, and passenger services throughout the northeastern region in 2025, according to officials on Sunday.

NFR's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma reported that in 2025, 13 pairs of trains within the NFR zone transitioned from traditional ICF coaches to advanced LHB rakes, providing superior safety, improved travel comfort, and greater operational efficiency.

Noteworthy advancements have also been made in railway electrification throughout the NFR's domain. By March 2025, a total of 3,724.57 route kilometres (RKM) had been electrified.

In the fiscal year 2024–25, electrification projects covering 1,141.38 RKM were completed. In the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26, electrification of 146.44 RKM has been finalized as of October 7, raising the total electrified network under NFR to 3,871 RKM, as stated by Sharma.

The division-wise electrification breakdown includes 788.55 RKM in Katihar division (Bihar), 713.87 RKM in Alipurduar division (West Bengal), along with 782.72 RKM in Rangiya, 1,104.63 RKM in Lumding, and 481.21 RKM in Tinsukia divisions, all situated in Assam.

These developments signify consistent progress towards sustainable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly rail operations in the northeastern territory.

Sharma emphasized that safety is a paramount concern for NFR, which operates in the northeastern states and extends into seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

To bolster safety at level crossings, the zone has enhanced infrastructure with modern signaling and interlocked systems. Currently, 624 interlocked level crossing gates are operational, in addition to 582 sliding boom installations that improve road visibility and safety.

Moreover, technology-driven initiatives such as the AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) have been implemented across vital elephant corridors to safeguard wildlife and avert train accidents. These efforts have successfully protected over 160 elephants in 2025 alone, reaffirming NFR’s dedication to passenger safety and environmental stewardship.

NFR's role in national development was recently showcased during the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony of development projects exceeding Rs 9,000 crore in Aizawl, Mizoram, where Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang railway line on September 13.

The Prime Minister referred to the project as historic, emphasizing that linking Aizawl to the national railway network would significantly enhance access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

During the ceremony, PM Modi also highlighted the crucial role of railways in India’s growth narrative and in reinforcing regional connectivity as part of the Act East Policy.

To further elevate passenger amenities, Haibargaon Railway Station became the inaugural station in Assam to be launched under the nationwide dedication of 103 redeveloped Amrit Stations by the Prime Minister, underscoring the government’s commitment to modern, passenger-focused infrastructure.

In another noteworthy accomplishment, NFR’s Railway Protection Force successfully recovered 174 lost mobile phones using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, returning 146 devices to their rightful owners.

These achievements collectively highlight NFR’s unwavering dedication to safety, modernization, passenger contentment, and regional advancement.