The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is preparing for key infrastructure upgrades at Rangapani Station in the Katihar division as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance railway safety and efficiency. Scheduled for the latter half of September 2024, these upgrades aim to improve track infrastructure and signalling systems, ensuring smoother operations for freight and passenger services.
A significant component of these upgrades will focus on the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) Siding at Rangapani, a crucial private freight terminal handling petroleum oil and lubricants (POL). The siding has seen robust activity during this financial year, with 158 rakes loaded as of August 2024, generating approximately Rs 47.40 crore in revenue for NFR. This marks a notable growth of about 76.41% compared to the previous year. In addition, five rakes were unloaded at the terminal during the same period.
To further enhance the efficiency of the NRL Siding, an additional loading line is under construction, and the layout is being adjusted to facilitate smoother reception and dispatch of goods trains. One key improvement is the elimination of manual shunting in the yard, which will be replaced by shunt signals, allowing for greater operational control and improved safety.
Upgrades at the main Rangapani Station yard will involve the installation of four new points and modifications to the existing points and crossings arrangements. These enhancements will connect Line Nos. 5 and 6 to a newly laid track, enabling the direct reception and dispatch of trains through signals from Lines 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The changes will significantly improve train movement, reduce delays at Rangapani and New Jalpaiguri Stations, and increase freight traffic at both terminals. In the past three months alone, the Rangapani terminal has loaded six rakes, generating revenue of approximately Rs 38.2 lakh for NFR.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Another major upgrade at Rangapani Station will be the introduction of a modern Electronic Interlocking system with computer-based Visual Display Unit (VDU) panels. This system is designed to improve operational safety and streamline train management.
These initiatives reflect NFR’s commitment to enhancing safety and operational efficiency across its network. The improvements at Rangapani Station will not only boost freight operations but will also benefit passenger services by reducing delays and ensuring safer, more efficient train movements.
Also read | Cow activists’ presser at Shillong Press Club office cancelled amid protests