Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam and the entire Northeastern region have emerged as a major focus of India’s railway transformation, opening new avenues for modern connectivity, enhanced safety, and greater economic opportunities, railway officials said on Tuesday.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), said that for decades, the railway story of Assam and the Northeast was marked by limited connectivity and slow progress. Difficult geographical conditions, limited investment, and incomplete projects remained major obstacles to development.
He noted that the most visible sign of change is in railway budget allocations. Between 2009 and 2014, the average annual allocation for Assam and the Northeast was around Rs 2,122 crore. This has now increased to Rs 11,486 crore in 2026–27, nearly a fivefold rise, reflecting the Central Government’s strong commitment to the region.
Currently, railway projects worth over Rs 72,468 crore are at various stages of progress. These include construction of new lines, station modernisation, and safety initiatives.
To enhance passenger experience, 60 stations in Assam and the Northeast are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with an estimated investment of Rs 2,101 crore. Redevelopment of Haibargaon station has already been completed.
Since 2014, nearly 1,900 kilometres of new railway lines have been constructed in Assam and the Northeast - greater than the entire railway network of Sri Lanka. Railway electrification has also advanced rapidly, with Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram achieving 100 per cent electrification, while Assam is close to completion.
To ensure safer travel, 502 rail flyovers and underpasses have been built, reducing the number of level crossings. India’s indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection System is being implemented in the region, with approval for 1,197 route kilometres and work underway for 235 kilometres.
Modern train services such as Vande Bharat Express, Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, and Amrit Bharat Express are now operating, providing faster and more comfortable connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of India.
On March 13–14, the Prime Minister will dedicate and launch several railway projects and services for Assam. These include the foundation stone for the Furkating–Tinsukia Doubling Project (194 km), a POH Workshop at Bashbari, and electrification of the Rangiya–Murkongselek (558 km), Chaparmukh–Dibrugarh (571 km), and Badarpur–Silchar/Badarpur–Churaibari (315 km) lines.
Three new train services will also be flagged off: Kamakhya, Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri Express, and Narangi - Agartala Express, further strengthening connectivity and boosting trade, tourism, and social interaction.
Sharma said Assam and the Northeast are witnessing a new railway revolution that goes beyond tracks and trains, representing economic opportunities, regional development, and stronger national integration.
“Under Prime Minister Modi, Indian Railways is building a robust and modern transport network that will play a crucial role in realising the vision of Viksit Northeast, Viksit Bharat,” he stated.
Rajib pushes for Pineapple Park, cold storage to boost tribal farmers’ income
Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee has called for urgent measures to support farmers cultivating Tripura’s famous Queen pineapple, one of the state’s key agricultural products and a major source of livelihood for tribal communities.
Day labourer attacked with sharp weapon for Rs 30 in Kailashahar
A minor financial dispute over just Rs 30 escalated into a violent attack in the Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district, leaving a day labourer critically injured and creating tension in the area.
Residents of West Kanchanmala face water shortage
The Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing safe drinking water to every household across the country, seems to be faltering in West Kanchanmala. Despite the government installing water pumps and pipelines to supply water to both urban and rural areas, residents of the area are struggling to access drinking water.
275 voters from Tipra Motha join BJP; BJP eyes victory in all 28 seats
In a significant political development ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, 275 voters from 55 families have switched allegiance from the Tipra Motha Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
CM emphasizes communal harmony, inclusive development in Tripura
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi always wanted to strengthen minority communities financially, and our government is also working tirelessly for the all-round welfare of people from all sections of society.
Jishnu Dev Varma sworn in as 22nd Guv of Maharashtra
Jishnu Dev Varma, a member of the Manikya royal dynasty of Tripura and former Governor of Telangana, was on Tuesday sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Maharashtra.
People must oust TMC 'misrule' to restore democracy in Bengal: Tripura CM Manik Saha
Tripura Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Manik Saha on Monday urged the people of West Bengal to remove the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government from power, alleging that the state has witnessed “terror, corruption and collapse of law and order” during the party’s 15-year rule.
Tribal body polls: Left accuses BJP of neglecting tribal areas, announces candidates
CPI-M-led Left Front on Monday alleged that the BJP and its allies have kept the tribal areas underdeveloped and failed to undertake meaningful initiatives for the welfare and development of tribals, who constitute nearly one-third of Tripura’s 4.2 million population.