Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna on Sunday said that a record allocation of Rs 10,440 crores has been made for Railways in the northeastern region in the Union Budget 2025-26.
After visiting the Guwahati Railway Station, the Union Minister said that till 2014, there was no railway electrification in Assam, but now 100 per cent railway electrification would be completed by the end of this year (2025).
He also highlighted the significant progress in railway infrastructure development, mentioning that doubling works are being carried out at an accelerated pace to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Additionally, new railway lines are being laid to improve connectivity and cater to the growing transportation demands of the northeastern region, Somanna told the media.
The Minister emphasised the importance of modernising railway stations to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing railway infrastructure and connectivity, especially in the northeastern states.
During his visit to the Guwahati Railway Station, the minister reviewed the progress of ongoing development projects at the station. He was accompanied by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, NFR, along with senior railway officials from the headquarters and division.
NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the Guwahati Railway Station is being redeveloped with modern amenities under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) at an estimated cost of Rs 181.09 crore.
The Minister carried out a comprehensive inspection of the station’s infrastructure.
He also evaluated key facilities, including waiting halls, QR code ticketing counters and security measures. Somanna visited the Executive Lounge and commended the railway officials for their efforts in keeping the station clean.
Earlier, on March 8, the Minister inspected Dibrugarh railway station to review the progress of its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat station scheme.
He also visited the Bogibeel Rail-cum-Road Bridge over Brahmaputra river, which connects the north and south banks of the river, enhancing connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Minister’s visit highlighted the commitment to providing world-class railway services while promoting economic growth and regional development, the CPRO said.