Guwahati, Oct 23 – The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is launching a wave of new railway projects that will boost transportation, jobs and growth in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
NFR’s public‑relations chief, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, said the plans are part of the Viksit Bharat vision. They aim to connect the BTAD more tightly to India’s national rail network, spur regional development and create employment for local residents.
### New Wagon Overhauling Workshop in Basbari
A major project is a brand‑new Wagon Periodic Overhauling (POH) workshop at Basbari in Kokrajhar district. After a recent site visit by NFR’s General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, the 2,500‑bigha site will be built for about ₹256 million (Phase I). The workshop can service 75 wagons a month now and grow to 250 wagons later. It sits close to Basbari station and Rupsi Airport, positioning it as a logistics hub that will create many jobs and training opportunities for young people.
### Kokrajhar‑Gelephu Cross‑Border Line
NFR is also driving the 69‑kilometre Kokrajhar‑Gelephu railway line, a special project that will link Assam with Bhutan. The government has earmarked ₹4 billion for the line, which will open new trade and tourism routes under India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies. Once finished, Kokrajhar will become a key rail gateway for India‑Bhutan freight and passenger traffic.
### Station Upgrades under Amrit Bharat Scheme
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, NFR is renovating key BTAD stations, including Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon Hat, Fakiragram, Udalguri, Tangla and Majbat. The revamped stations feature modern buildings, better passenger facilities, improved circulation and stylish façades, delivering world‑class service to travelers.
Kokrajhar station already welcomes high‑speed trains such as the Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express, giving Bodoland residents fast, comfortable access to major cities. New express and passenger stops are also being added at Gossaigaon Hat, Fakiragram, Basugaon, Bijni, Tangla, Udalguri and Majbat, making daily travel easier for locals.
### Continued Growth and Electrification
Electrification, track doubling and further infrastructure upgrades are proceeding quickly across the network. NFR remains committed to driving social and economic transformation in Assam’s BTAD through safe, sustainable and inclusive railway development.
— sc/dan
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
