Has Northeast Frontier Railway Reached a Crucial Electrification Milestone?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Northeast Frontier Railway has electrified over 1,000 km of railway lines.
- Rangiya Division is now fully electrified.
- The Rajdhani Express operates on electric traction.
- 12 diesel locomotives have been decommissioned.
- Environmental sustainability is a priority for NFR.
Guwahati, Aug 19 (NationPress) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which serves the northeastern regions and stretches into seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of North Bihar, has made significant strides in its electrification efforts and green energy programs during the initial seven months of this year, as reported by officials on Tuesday.
NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that between January and July (2025), the NFR has recorded exceptional progress, representing a critical advancement towards more sustainable and efficient railway operations throughout the area.
He detailed that a total of 1,043 Route Kilometres (RKM) of railway lines have been electrified during this timeframe (January to July).
Moreover, electrification has been finalized on the double-line sections associated with the doubling projects between Chaparmukh – Hojai Down Line (45.69 TKM) and Dudhnai-Azara Second Line (99.32 TKM) in Assam.
According to the CPRO, this achievement means that the Rangiya (RNY) Division is now completely electrified (100 percent), facilitating smooth and environmentally friendly train operations.
Consequently, the esteemed Rajdhani Express now operates on electric traction through the Rangiya-Rangapara route up to Dibrugarh.
Furthermore, since the electrification to Dibrugarh has been completed, the New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express has been running on full electric traction via New Tinsukia since June 2025, offering passengers a quicker, cleaner, and more efficient travel experience.
Sharma noted that the operational advantages have also been considerable.
With the successful completion of key electrification projects, a total of 28 trains now operate on full electric traction, leading to the decommissioning of 12 diesel locomotives from active service. This transition not only results in significant fuel savings but also supports environmental sustainability by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the official.
The CPRO emphasized that the Northeast Frontier Railway is dedicated to accelerating its electrification and renewable energy initiatives to improve operational efficiency, lessen reliance on fossil fuels, and pave the way towards a cleaner and greener future for railway transport.