The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced a series of measures to improve passenger convenience, train punctuality and freight capacity across the region.
To reduce queues at stations, 145 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) are being installed at 69 locations. The kiosks will allow passengers to buy unreserved tickets using smart cards or QR codes, with smart cards rechargeable at designated counters.
NFR officials said punctuality of Mail and Express trains rose by 0.93% against the Railway Board’s target of 85% and by 2.57% compared to last year, placing the zone fifth among all railways. The improvement followed steps such as standardising 14 train pairs, speeding up 66 trains, and revising timings of 63 services at major stations.
Four new trains were introduced, including the Bongaigaon – Guwahati Passenger, Tinsukia – Naharlagun Express, Guwahati – North Lakhimpur Jan Shatabdi Express and Sealdah – Jalpaiguri Road Express. The Silchar – Mahisasan Passenger now runs six days a week. Modernisation works included converting the Kishanganj – Ajmer Garib Nawaz Express to LHB coaches, 17 train pairs to end-to-end electric traction, and adding 93 permanent coaches with 6,929 berths.
Freight loading rose by 6.9% between January and July 2025 to 6.819 million tonnes. Bamboo traffic increased sharply by 3,700%, while stone traffic grew by 84.9%. Records were also set with 55 interchanges in a day, 155 trains run on the Barsoi – Sudhani section, and single-day loading of 960 wagons.
New freight terminals have been opened at Nischintapur, Dhamalgaon, Mirza, Bishramganj and Balurghat, which now has a Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal.
Officials said these measures are part of efforts to strengthen passenger amenities, improve punctuality and expand freight operations.
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