Rangiya Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has officially become the second fully electrified division in the zone after Alipurduar, following a successful trial run and statutory inspection of the 84.6 km Gauripur–Abhayapuri section under 25 kV AC traction. The transformation marks a key step in NFR’s electrification roadmap, which aims to finish the conversion of its entire network—4,260 route km—by end-2025.
As of November 2024, nearly 66 per cent of the zone (2,827 RKM) had already been electrified. Top electrical officials inspected the Gauripur–Abhayapuri sector covering 110 track km to grant sanction for commercial electric train services. This was followed by a trial run at speeds of up to 90 km/h, demonstrating system readiness and compliance with operational safety . Full electrification ushers in faster, more reliable services, reductions in fuel expenditure and scheduling complexities. Electric traction also aligns with Indian Railways’ net-zero carbon ambitions, lowering diesel dependency and emissions across the Northeast.
Electrification across NFR enhances passenger and freight connectivity, particularly critical in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and northern West Bengal. The infrastructure supports higher-capacity trains, seamless traction transitions, and sets the groundwork for future high-speed corridors . Complementary investments in electric traction substations and locomotive sheds at Guwahati, Siliguri and Malda are underway to support energy logistics. The successful Rangiya rollout relies on well-trained crews and robust monitoring systems. Fully electrified routes promise improved services for all communities, including women, elderly and disabled passengers. Station upgrades will need to address accessibility to ensure sustainable equity in regional rail services.
With Rangiya on board, NFR now boasts two fully electrified divisions—joining the broader national trend of near-total electrification, now at 98.9% of broad-gauge routes. The zone has been accelerating its conversion—2,828 RKM electrified by January 2025, with total coverage set by December 2025. The region’s green railway transformation is gaining pace with trial runs on the Agartala–Arunachal route, reflecting a sweeping shift to electric traction across even remote sections. Looking ahead, the focus must expand to include station modernisation, ESG-compliant power procurement and operational excellence.
Rangiya Division’s completion of full electrification is more than technical progress—it symbolises a shift towards cleaner, faster and equitable rail mobility in India’s Northeast. The result is not just lower carbon emissions, but improved public connectivity, smoother operations, and modern infrastructure that supports sustainable urban and regional development.
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