CHONGAJAN

N. F. Railway has been taking several initiatives to improve the freight transportation and provide better customer interface. Among such initiatives, few more stations have been opened for handling of both outward & inward goods during the month of September, 2022.

To improve customer interface and further augment freight transportation, Rangapani station under Katihar division has been opened for handling of iron & steel consignment for a period of two months w.e.f 01^st September, 2022. Earlier it was opened for handling of both outward & inward all goods traffic except coal, POL, livestock, explosive and crane consignment. New Bongaigaon station under Rangiya division has been opened for handling of imported coal w.e.f 02^nd September, 2022. Earlier it was opened for handling of both outward & inward of all goods traffic including outward coal & inward RPC consignment. Chariali station under Tinsukia division is opened for handling of Iron & Steel Consignment (Crane Consignment) w.e.f 27^thSeptember, 2022. Earlier it was opened for handling of both outward & inward goods traffic including outward coal except POL, livestock, explosive, crane consignment and inward coal.

Similarly, Tatibahar station under Rangiya division is opened for handling of inward FCI traffic o­nly w.e.f 23^rd September, 2022. Siliguri Jn. under Katihar division is opened for handling of inward coal consignment for Railway use (RMC) w.e.f 27^th September, 2022. Salbari station under Alipurduar division is opened for handling of inward coal traffic for a period of three months w.e.f 28^th September, 2022. Earlier it was opened for handling of both outward & inward goods traffic except coal, POL, livestock, explosive and crane consignment. Chongajan station under Lumding division is opened for handling of stone chips/boulder for a period of three months w.e.f 28^th September, 2022. Earlier it was opened for handling of both outward and inward RMC o­nly.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has taken many safety initiatives to further enhance the safety of passenger in trains and stations. There were incidents when the fire broke out from either pantry cars or generator cars of passenger trains causing damages. Such fire has the potential of causing loss of human life and property if not noticed and extinguished timely.

          In its endeavour to prevent fire mishaps o­n trains and stations, NFR has equipped Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems o­n coaches and stations. As power cars and pantry cars are more vulnerable to fire 98 power cars and 38 pantry cars were equipped with the fire detection system in addition to 230 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) AC coaches. State of art fire detection system & auto stoppage system has been installed in 20 LHB AC coaches this year. This system stops the train in case of fire detection. Moreover, 1695 number of non – AC coaches over NFR have also been provided with fire extinguisher systems with anti-theft arrangement. 395 numbers of non –AC coaches were installed with the system this year itself.

Railway stations are also very vulnerable in incidences of fire. Modern technology like automatic fire detection and alarm system in buildings have been installed at stations. This year 06 stations viz Chongajan, Pancharatna, Dudhnai, Krishnai, Goalpara Town and Aujuri stations were equipped with the fire detection and alarm system.

Enhancing safety in train operations and in stations, N. F. Railway will go ahead to equip all air-conditioned coaches used for overnight journey and stations with the early warning fire detection system.