Maligaon, 15th August, 2020: Northeast Frontier Railway celebrated the 74th Independence Day of the Nation in befitting manner. The central programme was held at the Maligaon Railway HQ complex, where Shri Sanjive Roy, General Manager of N.F. Railway unfurled the National Flag.
The General Manager also inspected an impressive Guard of Honour given to him by RPF contingents. The Independence Day was also celebrated in all the five Divisions of N.F. Railway viz. Tinsukia, Lumding, Rangiya, Alipurduar and Katihar, where the Divisional Railway Manager unfurled the National Flag in presence of Divisional railway officials. This year the celebration was observed by following all the COVID – 19 protocols.
In his speech General Manager highlighted the problem being faced by the mankind and specially the rail parivaar in view of the pandemic situation and mentioned about the contribution of the N. F. Rail Parivaar to mitigate the crisis.
After the announcement of the lock-down on 24th March, operation of all passenger carrying trains stopped for the first time in the history of Indian Railways to restrict the spread of Coronavirus. But N.F. Railway managed to maintain the supply of essential commodities, food grains, medicines etc to all the landlocked NE states apart from a vast area of Bihar and West Bengal by running freight and parcel trains inspite of various COVID related restrictions.
Upto July 2674 freight trains were run by NFR carrying essential items for NE region. 609 Parcel special trains were also run to keep the supply chain intact for small traders of the area. 709 Shramik specials trains were also run bringing in about 7 lakh stranded people to our operational area. More than 8 lakhs meals and 11 lakhs bottles of mineral drinking water were distributed to the passenger of these Shramik specials. Presently 8 pairs of special express trains are being run and all these trains are running with almost 100% punctuality.
During this period sectional speed covering a length of 387 kms were increased apart from rehabilitation of bridges, construction of Road over bridges, road under bridges were done. All these efforts lead to increase of the average speed of good train to 45 kmph from 25kmph during last year.
For developing rail connectivity in NE region this railway has spent Rs. 6,039 crores during last financial year. During current financial more than Rs. 1,000 crore have already been utilised for better connectivity related works spreading in different states.
As part of green initiative NFR added 90Kwp of solar power during current year, Bio-toilets have been fitted in all coaches including DEMU, two NFR trains namely Brahmaputra Mail and Agartala Rajdhani Express started running in HOG technology.
On the occasion the General Manager also awarded railwaymen for their exemplary service during the year.
