GUWAHATI: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has marked a significant achievement in its journey towards sustainability by electrifying 2583 Route Kilometres (RKM), covering 61% of its expansive 4260 RKM network in the Northeast.
This milestone is part of Indian Railways’ ambitious initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and complete electrification across its network.
The Northeast has seen substantial progress with 1399.34 RKM of railway tracks now electrified.
Notable strides have been made in Assam (1229.36 RKM), Manipur (2.81 RKM), Meghalaya (9.58 RKM), Nagaland (6.00 RKM), Tripura (151.59 RKM), all falling under NFR’s jurisdiction.
These electrification projects, executed in phases, are managed by Indian Railway Construction International Limited (IRCON), Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), and NFR/Construction.
Their objective is to enhance train mobility, fortify the rail network in the Northeast, and establish a more eco-friendly, efficient mode of transportation.
The initiative promises manifold benefits, including a significant reduction in pollution levels, decreased dependence on imported crude oil, and conservation of foreign currency reserves.
Moreover, electrification will streamline traffic flow, improve train punctuality by eliminating delays from traction changes, and increase the average speed of trains.
In May 2023, Indian Railways set an ambitious target to become the world’s largest green railway with zero carbon emissions by 2030.
The electrification of railway lines in the Northeast is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
It will not only enhance train mobility but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the railway sector’s carbon footprint.
The successful electrification of NFR’s network is expected to boost sustainable development and efficient transportation infrastructure.
As electrification efforts continue, NFR aims to further consolidate its position as a leader in green railways, setting benchmarks for eco-friendly practices in the transportation sector.
