Railway Board’s Hitendra Malhotra Reviews Operational Efficiency and Freight Management at NFR
Hitendra Malhotra, Member (Operations & Business Development) of the Railway Board, visited Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to evaluate the zone’s operational efficiency, safety preparedness, and freight management capabilities. The visit comes at a crucial time as NFR continues to play a key role in the economic development of the Northeast, aiming to optimise railway operations and improve freight services.
Malhotra, an ex-Officer Secretary to the Government of India, attended a high-level meeting at the NFR Headquarters, where he was joined by General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava and General Manager (Construction) Arun Kumar Chaudhary. The meeting focused on reviewing the operational performance of NFR, with an emphasis on the seamless functioning of railway services, freight optimisation, and the adoption of new business strategies to promote growth in the zone. A major part of the discussions revolved around improving freight logistics, enhancing coordination between divisions, and streamlining train operations to boost efficiency. Malhotra highlighted the need to optimise freight handling processes to increase revenue and ensure faster turnaround times. This would, in turn, help in boosting regional economic growth by improving the capacity of goods transportation in the area.
One of the key aspects of the visit was Malhotra’s detailed review of the operational strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) at NFR. These discussions included exploring innovative ways to generate additional revenue through efficient logistics management and improving the overall service efficiency of the railway operations. His focus was not only on immediate improvements but also on long-term strategies for sustained growth and enhanced service delivery. Malhotra also toured several important infrastructure facilities to understand the ground-level operational challenges. His inspection included a visit to the Central Control Room (CCR) where real-time monitoring systems and emergency response mechanisms were evaluated. The CCR is a vital component of NFR’s operations, ensuring smooth traffic management and swift responses to any disruptions. The visit highlighted NFR’s commitment to modernising its systems and improving operational readiness, especially in critical times.
Furthermore, Malhotra conducted a field inspection at Azara Station and its Goods Yard. This allowed him to assess the efficiency of freight handling operations and the readiness of infrastructure to meet the growing demands of freight traffic. Discussions at this level also centred on capacity expansion, with the aim of minimising turnaround time at freight yards and improving the overall handling of goods. Through this review, Malhotra underscored the importance of strengthening safety measures in line with the operational advancements. Indian Railways has been consistently working on upgrading safety protocols, and this visit reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring secure and efficient operations.
The NFR’s ability to drive regional economic growth hinges on these improvements in freight handling and operational efficiency. As India’s railways continue to modernise, initiatives like this play an essential role in enhancing connectivity and infrastructure across the region. Malhotra’s visit to NFR is expected to give a significant boost to the zone’s efforts to improve operational excellence, optimise freight management, and upgrade infrastructure. With his leadership and guidance, NFR is set to implement proactive strategies and innovative solutions that will elevate its operational standards, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and safety in the Indian Railways system.
