Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which serves the northeastern states and parts of West Bengal and Bihar, is committed to enhancing safety and security for its passengers. The railway zone has been consistently upgrading its infrastructure and safety measures to ensure safer and more efficient train journeys, as stated by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma.
In a significant move to bolster safety, NFR has implemented several technical advancements over the past month. One key initiative has been the installation of Thick Web Switch Point machines with clamp-type locking systems at 31 stations across the zone in November. This upgrade is designed to improve the reliability and safety of track-switching operations. In addition to these upgrades, the NFR has carried out several improvements to its signalling systems across various sections. These measures include replacing older signalling components and carrying out extensive upgrades to enhance operational safety. At the same time, NFR has introduced sliding boom gates at four level crossings in Katihar, one in Alipurduar, and two in the Lumding division. These new gates are part of an ongoing effort to improve level crossing security.
To further enhance safety at level crossings, the NFR has replaced electric lifting barriers at two gates in Katihar and two in the Tinsukia division. These electric barriers are designed to reduce accidents and improve the safety of crossing areas. Fire safety has also been a major focus for the NFR. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems were commissioned at Rahamatpur and Arariya Court stations in the Katihar division. These systems are intended to prevent significant damage to railway property by detecting fires at the earliest stage.
NFR is also investing in communication systems to improve train operations. Modern communication tools are being used to provide real-time visual information to train operators and drivers, helping them make quicker decisions and avoid potential accidents. Another major safety improvement has been the replacement of 381 signalling batteries across five divisions. This upgrade ensures that the signalling systems remain reliable and fully operational, improving overall safety and efficiency. As part of a comprehensive safety initiative, system integrity testing was carried out at 25 level crossing gates. These measures are expected to ensure that all components are functioning optimally, preventing accidents and improving operational reliability. Through these ongoing safety measures and infrastructural improvements, Northeast Frontier Railway is working to provide a safer, more reliable, and efficient railway experience for its passengers, with a strong focus on punctuality and operational safety.