Guwahati, Nov 13 (NationPress) In a significant advancement towards bolstering safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has embarked on a project to install pathways on railway bridges throughout its network, as confirmed by officials on Thursday.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that this initiative is designed to ensure the secure movement of railway personnel involved in inspection, maintenance, and operational tasks on bridges.

As of October, contracts have been awarded for all approved projects, indicating consistent progress under NFR’s safety enhancement plan. A total of 943 railway bridges within the Northeast Frontier Railway have been earmarked for the addition of pathways, according to the CPRO.

Out of these, pathways have already been installed on 382 bridges, while work is ongoing on 561 more. The official noted that during the fiscal year 2024–25, work commenced on 32 bridges.

For the fiscal year 2025–26, the target is to finalize pathways on 109 bridges, with work underway on 49 of them. Over the next five years, there are plans to include 452 bridges. The Rangiya Division has the most bridges (250), followed by Lumding (227), Alipurduar (200), Katihar (163), and Tinsukia (103) divisions.

The installation of pathways on bridges presents numerous advantages. It enhances safety for railway personnel by providing a secure path for movement, minimizes the likelihood of accidents and injuries, and simplifies access to bridge structures for regular inspections and maintenance.

Sharma emphasized that these pathways also enable safe access during emergencies, such as when a rake becomes immobilized on a bridge, allowing loco pilots and technical staff to reach the scene quickly. Through this initiative, the Northeast Frontier Railway reinforces its unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and community welfare.

This project exemplifies NFR’s ongoing efforts to modernize infrastructure, enhance maintenance efficiency, and prioritize the safety of both passengers and staff. With such proactive initiatives, NFR is dedicated to realizing its vision of creating a safe, inclusive, and people-friendly railway network in the Northeastern region, as stated by the CPRO.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) operates across the Northeastern states, extending into seven districts of West Bengal and five districts in northern Bihar.