HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 2: The Union Budget for 2026–27 has earmarked a record ₹11,486 crore for Assam and the North Eastern states under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), marking a historic milestone for rail infrastructure development in the region.
The allocation represents a nearly fivefold increase compared to 2014 and underlines the Centre’s focus on faster, safer and future-ready rail connectivity across the Northeast.
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Officials said the enhanced allocation will support an ongoing infrastructure drive, with railway projects worth ₹72,468 crore currently under execution in Assam and neighbouring states.
Surveys for new railway lines are underway to further expand the network, while a new international rail link from Kokrajhar to Gelephu in Bhutan, covering 69 km, is also being planned.
Railway works in Manipur have resumed, and projects in Sikkim and Nagaland are progressing at an accelerated pace, significantly improving regional and cross-border connectivity.
One of the major highlights of the recent expansion is the launch of the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Kamakhya–Howrah route on January 17, 2026, connecting Assam with West Bengal through a premium overnight service.
This was followed by the introduction of Assam’s first Amrit Bharat Express services on the Guwahati (Kamakhya)–Rohtak and Dibrugarh–Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) routes.
Both services were inaugurated by Narendra Modi, strengthening long-distance rail connectivity between the Northeast and northern India.
In addition, a Varanasi–Siliguri bullet train corridor via Patna has been proposed, with future plans to extend it up to Guwahati, which would bring the Northeast into India’s high-speed rail network.
Network expansion and electrification have also gathered pace across the region.
Since 2014, around 1,900 km of new railway tracks have been laid under NFR.
Five northeastern states are now fully electrified, while Assam has achieved 98 per cent electrification.
A total of 2,839 km of railway lines in the region have been electrified.
To improve safety and traffic flow, 502 flyovers and underpasses have been constructed, and the Kavach automatic train protection system has been sanctioned for 1,197 km, with work currently in progress on 235 km.
Technology-driven safety measures are also being prioritised.
Indian Railways has deployed AI-based camera systems to help prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks and strengthened intrusion detection systems for smarter and safer operations.
With investments now five times higher than in 2014, Indian Railways’ expanded footprint in the Northeast is expected to boost trade, tourism and employment, while supporting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Officials said the enhanced rail network under the Northeast Frontier Railway will also play a crucial role in advancing the Government of India’s Act East Policy by improving regional and international connectivity from the Northeast.
