The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has successfully completed a statutory inspection of the newly constructed double line railway section between Nalbari and Baihata stations, approving it for train operations. Conducted on 29 October 2024, the inspection involved a comprehensive review of the station yards at Nalbari, Ghograpar, Rangiya Junction, Kendukona, and Baihata.
In addition to assessing the telecommunication, signalling, civil engineering, and safety features, the CRS inspected various operational systems and safety mechanisms critical to the line’s functionality. This approval marks a major advancement for Assam’s railway infrastructure, with the double line now fully operational across the entire route from New Bongaigaon to Agthori via Rangiya, significantly enhancing capacity for freight and passenger traffic.
The newly laid 31.828 km double line section, which was commissioned as part of the larger 142.97 km New Bongaigaon–Agthori via Rangiya project, comprises 23 major bridges, six minor bridges, and 14 level crossings. The route, which includes the intermediate stations of Ghograpar, Rangiya, and Kendukona, is now equipped with full electrification. During the inspection, Commissioner Sumeet Singhal of the N.F. Circle, along with his team, evaluated essential infrastructure, such as the railway bridge, track fittings, level crossings, electronic interlocking systems, relay rooms, and the overall operational readiness of the staff. The Commissioner also engaged with station personnel to ensure their preparedness regarding safety protocols.
The journey towards double-tracking this route has been a phased process, with recent milestones marking key sections: on 3 September 2024, the 6.22 km segment between Sorbhog and Barpeta Road was inaugurated; earlier, on 3 June 2024, the 21.4 km section between Barpeta Road and Pathsala became operational; the Baihata to Changsari section, stretching 10.15 km, was opened on 20 March 2024; in December 2023, the 7.48 km Changsari to Agthori route was also commissioned. Additional sections include 18.99 km between Bijni and Sorbhog, opened in June 2023; the 26.91 km section between Pathsala and Nalbari in May 2023; and, as early as August 2022, the 17.53 km New Bongaigaon to Bijni section.
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With the entire New Bongaigaon–Agthori via Rangiya route now a double line, the railway network in the northeast stands on the brink of a transformation. This new track structure will improve the flow of rail traffic, reduce train crossing times, and ultimately support the growth of economic activities across the region.
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