Kokrajhar (Assam), 28 August (HS): The Alipurduar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has achieved significant progress in passenger amenities, station redevelopment, safety and infrastructure development during the period from August 2025 to August 2026.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the redeveloped Kamakhyaguri and Jalpaiguri Road stations were dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on March 14 and July 17, 2026, respectively. The stations now offer modern facilities for passengers.

Redevelopment work at Dinhata station is in its final stage and is expected to be inaugurated soon. An amount of ₹43.29 crore has been sanctioned for redevelopment of New Cooch Behar station, while redevelopment of Alipurduar Junction station is under process at the Railway Board level.

Safety Strengthened With Removal of Level Crossings

Five level crossing gates in the division have been eliminated through the construction of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Approval has also been given for construction of an ROB at Level Crossing No. SK-155 near Dalgaon station. Work has commenced on an ROB near Kamakhyaguri station following the removal of the Ghoramara level crossing.

New Trains Improve Connectivity

Several new trains have been introduced through the Alipurduar Division, including APDJ-SMVB Amrit Bharat Express, APDJ-Panvel Amrit Bharat Express, NJP-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, Kamakhya-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express, Dibrugarh-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express, JPE-Sealdah Humsafar Express, KYQ-CHAD Amrit Bharat Express and NJP-GHY Intercity Express.

Passenger Facilities Expanded at Stations

Twenty-one Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been installed at 15 important stations. Twelve-metre-wide foot over bridges have been completed at Jalpaiguri Road, Dhubri and New Alipurduar stations. Four lifts have also been commissioned at Kamakhyaguri and Jalpaiguri Road stations.

Mechanised cleaning facilities have been introduced at New Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri Road and Dhupguri stations. Eight pay-and-use toilets have been constructed at seven stations, while new parking facilities have been provided at 14 stations.

Signalling and Operations Upgraded

Gate signals and interlocking with sliding booms have been commissioned at five mid-section level crossings. Single-line Intermediate Block Signalling between Banarhat and Carron sections was commissioned on September 13/14, 2025.

The division has also reported several improvements aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, passenger convenience and railway safety.

Note: The figures provided in the source state that revenue rose by 3.83%, but the quoted figures—₹624.38 crore in 2024-25 and ₹601.34 crore in 2025-26—actually indicate a decline. The figures should therefore be verified before publication.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash