Maligaon, Jan 27: The Northeast Frontier Railway celebrated the 71st Republic Day in a befitting manner. The central programme was held at the Maligaon Railway stadium, where Shri Sanjive Roy, General Manager of N.F. Railway hoisted the National Flag in presence of a huge gathering of railway officials and their family members. The General Manager also inspected March-past by contingents of RPF, Territorial Army, Civil Defence, school children and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
An impressive cultural programme depicting the unity in diversity of our nation organised during the occasion was also enjoyed by everyone present. The Republic Day was also celebrated in all the five Divisions of N.F. Railway viz. Tinsukia, Lumding, Rangiya, Alipurduar and Katihar, where the respective Divisional Railway Managers hoisted the National Flag in presence of Divisional railway officials and their family members. 31 railway staff of NFR were also awarded with cash and certificate for their meritorious service during the occasion.
In his speech General Manager asked everyone to take a pledge to put in best efforts and continue to carry forward the good work done by us, and also to carry out the fundamental duties as envisaged in our Constitution with diligence and continue to contribute to the noble cause of nation building.
General Manager informed that, to improve safety, interlocking of manned Level Crossing gates with TVUs more than 50,000 was taken on priority and got completed during the year, 17 manned level crossings were also eliminated. 96 bridges were rehabilitated and 230 kms of track was overhauled. To improve punctuality and mobility, 25 permanent speed restrictions were eliminated and speed in 9 sections totalling 426 kms was raised.
General Manager informed that, on the passenger earnings front NFR carried 8.29 crore passengers, earning Rs. 1,310 crore till December, 2019. Non-fare revenue earnings recorded 118% increase over last year and NFR earned Rs. 3.2 crore on this account. To discourage ticketless travel, ticket-checking staff with the help of RPF have conducted more than 28 thousand ticket-checking drives and detected 7.49 lakh people without ticket and realised Rs. 51.6 crore as fare and penalties.
Following the introduction of electric traction, the New Jalpaiguri – Howrah Shatabdi Express is being run fully with HOG compliant system thereby eliminating the need of power supply from power cars. This not only reduces the cost of fuel but also curbs environmental pollutions. Six more rakes were also made HOG compliant.
The NFR recently added 330 KWp of solar energy generating capacity which is estimated to save Rs. 27 lakh in energy bills annually besides reducing carbon footprints. Total solar energy generation capacity of NFR has now gone up to 2621 KWp.Later the members of N.F. Railway Women’s Welfare Organization (NFRWWO) distributed fruits and other items amongst the indoor patients of the N.F. Railway Central Hospital, Maligaon.
