GUWAHATI: The Indian Railways has logged highest ever electrification of sections covering 6,015 Route Kilometer (RKM) in single year during 2020-21. Despite COVID pandemic, it has surpassed the previous highest of 5,276 RKM achieved in 2018-19.
Railway Electrification work is under various stages of execution in various sections over N.F. Railway. The whole of NFR track including branch lines was sanctioned for 100% electrification in budget of 2017-18. Total cost of the entire electrification work is Rs. 2,542.62 crore (approx).
The much awaited electrification reached New Jalpaiguri in the year 2019. Thereafter, electrification work in the New Jalpaiguri – New Coochbehar section was also completed last year and operation of passenger carrying trains with electric traction started. At present, some important passenger carrying trains of Northeast Frontier Railway are running with electric locomotive from New Coochbehar, New Jalpaiguri and Katihar towards various destinations of our country in addition to several freight trains.
Continuing with the work of Railway Electrification, Northeast Frontier Railway has successfully completed the inspection and speed trial cum current collection test for 334 Route KM in 2020-21. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) of N. F. Circle Md. Latief Khan has conducted inspection of newly electrified Rangiya - Kamakhya section on 30.03.2021 and New Coochbehar - Shrirampur section on 31.03.2021, totaling 99 Route km. Earlier inspection of the portion from New Bongaigaon to Rangiya was also conducted. With this, Railways have come closer to fulfilling the long standing demand of the people of Northeast India of running trains with electric traction to and fro Guwahati, the gateway to Northeastern region.
It may be mentioned here that without CRS authorization passenger trains can't be operated with electric locomotive. The electrification work up to Guwahati is expected to be completed within next few months. The entire tracks of Northeast are targeted to be electrified by the end of the year 2023.
The introduction of electric trains will lead to better connectivity of Northeast region to rest part of India. It will also be a great boost for environment as conventional engines uses fossil fuel to produce energy which causes pollution.
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