MALIGAON: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched substantial initiatives aimed at improving passenger convenience and operational efficiency. In an effort to minimize queues at ticket counters, 145 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) are being installed across 69 stations. These ATVMs will operate as unmanned kiosks available 24/7, allowing passengers to purchase unreserved tickets using smart cards or QR codes.
Smart cards can be recharged at designated ticket counters, ensuring a seamless travel experience. The punctuality performance has demonstrated significant improvement, with Mail/Express trains achieving a 0.93% increase against the Board’s target of 85% and a 2.57% enhancement compared to the previous year, positioning NFR in 5th place among all zonal railways. This accomplishment was facilitated by measures such as the standardization of 14 train pairs, accelerating 66 trains to save an average of 22 minutes per journey, and adjusting timings for 63 trains at major stations. Four new train services have been launched to bolster connectivity, including the Bongaigaon – Guwahati Passenger, Tinsukia – Naharlagun Express, Guwahati – North Lakhimpur Jan Shatabdi Express, and Sealdah – Jalpaiguri Road Express. Furthermore, the frequency of the Silchar–Mahisasan Passenger has been increased to six days a week.
Modernization efforts have progressed with the conversion of the Kishanganj–Ajmer Garib Nawaz Express to LHB coaches, the transition of 17 train pairs to end-to-end electric traction, and the permanent augmentation of 93 coaches, resulting in 6,929 additional berths. Freight performance has also shown robust growth, with loading rising by 6.9% to reach 6.819 MT during January–July 2025 compared to the same timeframe last year. To enhance freight capacity, new terminals such as Nischintapur, Dhamalgaon, Mirza, Bishramganj, and the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at Balurghat have been inaugurated. These accomplishments underscore NFR’s strong dedication to enhancing passenger amenities, improving punctuality, and expanding freight operations for regional economic growth.
