Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager, N. F. Railway, on 3rd February, 2022 held an interaction with media persons within the jurisdiction of entire NFR. Media persons from different places joined virtually to this interaction. During the interaction, General Manager deliberated on the budget provisions particularly stressing on the important pillars of the budget for making Indian Railways “Future Ready” by ‘One Station one Product’ plan, KAVACH safety system, induction of 400 new generation Vande Bharat trains in India during next three years and development of 100 PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals for multimodal logistics in next three years.
The General Manager informed that the Gross Budget Allocation for N. F. Railway is 11428.86 crore. Budget Allotment for the FY 2022-23 for the North-eastern States is 44% more than previous year’s allotment (Rs 6913 Crs) and 370% more than the average of 2009-14 allotment.
During the interaction GM informed that adequate fund has been allotted for capital connectivity to North Eastern states, faster connectivity on NE Region by doubling of High Density Network (HDN) sections along with Electrification of entire network for seamless connectivity. As per the budget announcement, Kavach, the indigenously developed system to aid Loco Pilots in preventing Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and avoiding train collisions, will be provided on 2000 km (approx) route over Indian Railways. It has been sanctioned on NFR for HDN & HUN route.
The General Manager also informed that Vistadome train services have been introduced recently on the tourist routes Tinsukia – Naharlagun, Guwahati – Badarpur, New Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar and Guwahati – Naharlagun. Vistadome coaches have also been attached to the Joy Ride services in DHR section. The Vistadome trains are aesthetically designed to give a better travel experience to tourists.
The General Manager announced that that Electrification of track is completed up to Guwahati. As per policy of the Indian Railways work for 100% electrification of NFR routes are also going on. This policy of 100% Electrification will give boost to the economy of North Eastern states and it will bring N.F. Railway at par with other Electrified Railway. He informed that work for Electrification is already complete in 766 RKM in NFR and work for electrification is going on in 210 RKM section in NFR which is likely to be completed by March, 2022. Work in remaining 3216 RKM is planned to be completed by March, 2024. This will impart efficient, pollution free transportation needs of N. E. States.
General Manager explained about the Freight Business Development (FBD) Portal, which is a one stop solution for freight/Parcel customers and various other initiatives taken for providing optimized logistic services to freight customers. He informed that 55 terminals have been opened for goods handling during the F.Y. 2021-22 up to January, 2022 and 27 existing terminal upgraded for handling of both outward and inward goods traffic. Presently 125 terminals are functional for handling goods traffic. 29 goods sheds terminals are being operated round the clock (24x7) for the benefit of loaders and transporters.
Introduction of Kisan rail has helped farmers to send their produces to the markets of far areas at ease and get benefitted. Farmers of NE Region can now send fruits, vegetables and other perishable products to outside market by using the services of Kisan rail. 50% subsidy is allowed for transportation of all fruits and vegetables through these trains. Refrigerated parcel van to carry Pineapple and other fruits and vegetable from North East to other parts of India is also available for booking.
General Manager informed that N. F. Railway has sold scrap worth Rs. 114 Crores till 31st January, 2022 in the current Fiscal Year. This is 104.65% higher than the corresponding period in last year and highest in the last 10 years.NFR has also carried a total 11197 rakes of Freight trains from April, 2021 to January, 2022 with the highest ever unloading of 1256 trains in January, 2022. It is an improvement of 19.61% over the corresponding period of last year. Average speed of Goods carrying trains also increased to 45.7 kmph from 43.6 kmph due to various measures taken. 
