Rs 1,511 crore more allocation to Northeast Frontier Railway: GM Anshul Gupta

The NFR (Northeast Frontier Railway) has received Rs 1,511 crore more Budgetary allocation than last year.
Rs 1,511 crore more allocation to Northeast Frontier Railway: GM Anshul Gupta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The NFR (Northeast Frontier Railway) has received Rs 1,511 crore more Budgetary allocation than last year. This was informed by Anshul Gupta, General Manager (GM), NFR while interacting with media persons within the jurisdiction of NFR on Saturday. Deliberating on the Budget provisions, he stressed on the important pillars of the Budget for making the Indian Railways "Future ready". The General Manager said, "The gross Budgetary allocation for NFR for 2021-22 is Rs 8,060 crore which is much higher than last year's figure of Rs 6,549 crore. The Gross Budgetary Allocation in 2021-22 is 238% more than the average of 2009-14 (Rs 3,383 crore/year)."

The GM also said that talks are on with the Assam government for acquisition of land to construct the elevated corridor from Kamakhya to New Guwahati. Referring to the unauthorised occupation of NFR quarters and land, the GM said, "Assessment and survey is on."

He further pointed out that NFR's earnings from passenger trains during April-December 2020 dropped to Rs 380 crore from Rs 1,463 crore during the corresponding period in 2019. This is a 73 per cent fall in earnings. In the case of goods trains, the earnings fell by 20 per cent during the mentioned period. The earnings through goods trains during the corresponding period in 2019 were Rs 954 crore that dropped to Rs 772 crore this year.

The General Manager also stated that the Indian Railways has got the highest-ever total Plan Capex of Rs 2, 15,058 crore. This is much higher than the last year's figure of Rs. 1, 61,042 crores. During the interaction, the GM informed that adequate fund has been allotted for capital connectivity to the north-eastern States by March, 2023, faster connectivity in the NER (North East Region) by doubling the 'High Density Network' (HDN) sections along with electrification of the entire network for seamless connectivity. The GPS-based 'Train Collision Avoidance System' (TCAS) in the 'High Density Networks' (HDN) and the 'Highly Utilized Networks' (HUN) routes of NFR for ensuring safety of train movement was sanctioned in Budget 2020-21; and it has been sanctioned for the remaining sections in this year's Budget. With the introduction of this system, speed of the trains is monitored by the system and 'Automatic Braking' applied if a loco pilot crosses the speed limits or passes a signal at danger. The 'Automatic Block Signaling' (ABS) and the 'Centralized Traffic Control' (CTC) for the HDN routes of NFR are also sanctioned in the Budget.

He also informed about introduction of the aesthetically designed 'Vista Dome LHB' coach on tourist routes to give a better travel experience to tourists willing to travel in the NER in consultation with the respective State Governments.

As per policy of the Indian Railways, works for 100% electrification of NFR routes are also going on. This policy of cent percent electrification will give a boost to the economy of the north-eastern States and it will bring the NFR at par with the other 'Electrified Railways'. He added that work for electrification is already complete in 451 RKM in NFR and work for electrification is going on in 770 RKM section in NFR which is likely to be completed by August 2021. Work in the remaining 2,962 RKM is planned to be completed by March, 2024. This will impart efficient, pollution free transportation needs of NE States. He also announced that the electrification of track is likely to be completed up to Guwahati by March this year.

The General Manager also explained about the 'Freight Business Development (FBD) Portal', which is a one-stop solution for freight or parcel customers and various other initiatives taken for providing optimized logistic services to freight customers. He informed that out of the 75 goods sheds in the NE region, 15 are already working 24x7 for the benefit of loaders and transporters.

Introduction of the 'Kisan Rail' has helped farmers to send their produces at ease to the markets in the far-flung areas and get benefitted. Farmers of

NER can now send tea, rubber, turmeric, black pepper, mustard, soya bean, betel nut, mandarin (orange variety), pineapple, ginger, kiwi, litchi, passion fruit, chillies (green), large cardamom and other perishable products to the outside market by using the services of Kisan Rail. As much as 50% subsidy is allowed for transportation of all fruits and vegetables through these trains.

Refrigerated parcel van to carry pineapples and other fruits and vegetables from the North East to other parts of India is also available for booking.

Due to the increased emphasis on freight movement owing to the COVID scenario, as many as 9,361 freight-carrying rakes were unloaded till January 21 from April 2020. The average speed of the goods-carrying trains also increased to 47 kmph from 27 kmph due to various measures taken, added the General Manager.

While the media persons from Guwahati were present physically at the briefing, others joined virtually from Agartala (Tripura), Silchar (Assam), Katihar (Bihar) and Siliguri (West Bengal).

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