The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is on track to complete the electrification of the railway line from Lumding to Sabroom in Tripura by August this year.
An official disclosed this ambitious project on Wednesday, aiming to enhance connectivity and efficiency in the region, and significantly improve the railway infrastructure. Out of the total 265 km of track spanning from Dharmanagar to Sabroom via Agartala, 165 km have already been electrified. The remaining 100 km are scheduled for completion by August, according to Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR. The electrification of the 172 km section from Lumding to Badarpur, a challenging hill section, has also progressed well, with 85 percent of the work completed. Currently, 65 percent of the tracks under NFR’s jurisdiction have been electrified, contributing to the expansion of the railway network in the northeast. In Assam, 55 percent of the railway tracks have undergone electrification as part of this ongoing drive. These efforts are poised to facilitate the introduction of premier trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat up to Agartala, following the project’s completion.
The shift to electric trains is a strategic move by NFR to phase out diesel-run trains gradually. De highlighted the financial and environmental benefits of this transition. “Running electric trains is more profitable compared to diesel engines. The new system will be cost-effective and beneficial for the NFR. The carbon emissions will also be reduced once trains start running on electric,” he noted. In addition to electrification, the central government has sanctioned substantial funds to upgrade the region’s railway stations. Agartala station is set to receive Rs 260 crore to transform it into a world-class facility. Furthermore, Rs 93 crore has been allocated to upgrade three other stations—Dharmanagar, Udaipur, and Kumarghat—into Amrit Bharat stations.
This comprehensive electrification project and station upgrades underscore the commitment to boosting the railway network in the northeast, promising enhanced connectivity, reduced travel time, and a more sustainable transportation system. The NFR’s initiatives reflect a broader effort to modernise and expand India’s railway infrastructure, aligning with the nation’s economic and environmental goals. As the August deadline approaches, the completion of the electrification project is eagerly anticipated, marking a significant milestone in the development of the region’s railway network. This progress is expected to herald a new era of efficient, eco-friendly, and economically viable rail transport in Tripura and the broader northeastern region.
