 Early Times Report
MALIGAON, Feb 5: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has registered significant progress in the fields of renewable energy adoption, electric traction and operational safety during the current financial year, reflecting its continued commitment towards sustainable, efficient and safe rail operations. In a major boost to green energy initiatives, 9.27 MWp Rooftop Solar Power Plants have been commissioned over NFR up to December 2025 during FY 2025-26. This achievement is 373% higher than the corresponding period of the previous financial year (FY 2024-25) and also marks the highest-ever rooftop solar capacity installed in a single financial year since 2011-12. With this addition, the cumulative solar power capacity over NFR has reached 18.4 MWp as on 31st December, 2025, resulting in substantial energy savings and reduction in carbon footprint.
Under electric traction initiatives, Trip Inspection (TRIP) sheds at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Dibrugarh (DBRG) have been commissioned on 20th August, 2025 and 27th November, 2025 respectively to facilitate electric locomotive trip inspections and improve operational reliability. Further strengthening train safety, KAVACH, the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, has been fitted in 81 electric locomotives out of a total fleet of 285 electric locomotives over NFR.
As part of the transition towards cleaner traction, 31 pairs of trains have been converted from diesel traction to end-to-end electric traction, leading to the saving of 26 diesel locomotives and enhancing energy efficiency and operational sustainability.
In the area of training and safety awareness, a working model of the Automatic Block System has been developed and installed in the New Bongaigaon (NBQ) lobby to improve the working knowledge of train crew. Additionally, sectional videography during night hours has been introduced in Katihar (KIR), Alipurduar (APDJ), Rangiya (RNY) and Tinsukia (TSK) divisions to enhance route learning and situational awareness among running staff.
These initiatives underline Northeast Frontier Railway's focused approach towards green energy, modern traction, capacity building and enhanced safety, contributing to more sustainable and efficient rail operations across the region. |
