LUMDING JN

To combat the constraints in train movement due to steep gradient, sharp curves etc. in hilly terrain, the Northeast Frontier Railway has been initiating innovative measures time to time. In a recent such initiative, Lumding division of N. F. Railway conducted a successful trial of hauling a full length goods train with powerful locomotives in the challenging Lumding – Badarpur hill section.

In a historic step that promises to vastly improve the mobility of goods trains in the challenging Lumding – Badarpur hill section, Lumding division conducted the successful trial of hauling a full length goods train carrying food grains to Salchapra near Silchar, Assam. The goods train was hauled by a powerful WDG6 locomotive in the front, and o­ne WDG4 locomotive in the rear as banking engine. This successful effort holds the promise of eliminating the need for the use of multi – loco units in the Lumding - Badarpur section, which is presently a major cause of hindrance and slow running of goods trains in the section.

During this trial, the freight train was able to clear the challenging Lumding - Badarpur section made up of steep gradients and sharp curves effortlessly. Loco Pilot S.N. Raju and Guard Subrata Das, as well as Loco Inspector D. K. Gour and Traffic Inspector Ashok Basak were o­n board the train. The whole movement of the train was monitored from the Divisional Office by a team of officers including Senior Divisional Operations Manager K. K. Sharma, Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer Himanshu Gunawat and Assistant Operations Manager Dipankar Gogoi under the overall guidance of Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding Shri J. S. Lakra.

The new WDG6G locomotives have high horsepower and capacity to haul over 6000 Tonnes, which is proving to be immensely beneficial for train movement in the section. o­nce this new system is regularized, it will be possible to ensure faster and unhindered delivery of food grains and other essential commodities by rail to the states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram apart from the Barak Valley of Assam, benefiting the people of the region.

N.F. Railway has been running Kisan rail trains to and from NE Region aiming to help local farmers and producers apart from transporters. It is an initiative by Indian Railways to boost the income of farmers by moving perishables like fruits and vegetables from production/surplus regions to consumption/deficient regions. Indian Railways, with its pan-India network, forms an integral part of the government plan to raise incomes in farm sector by encouraging transportation by rail. This initiative is helping farmers/small aggregators/co-operative society benefit from swift transportation of their products across the country through Rail.

It may be mentioned here that as per the announcement made in the Union Budget 2020-21, Indian Railways has started running Kisan Rail train services, to transport perishables and agri-product.

The first Kisan Rail train was flagged-off o­n 07.08.2020 between Devlali (Maharastra) and Danapur (Bihar). These Kisan Rail trains are run o­n time-tabled paths, and their punctuality is strictly being monitored to avoid any en-route detentions and delays. This is multi-commodity, multi-consignor/consignee, multi-loading/unloading transportation product which is aimed at providing wider market to our Kisans. There is no minimum limit o­n quantity that can be booked, enabling small farmers to reach bigger and distant markets.

Perishable fruits like Mango, Banana, Guava, Kiwi, Litchi, Papaya, Mousambi, Orange, Mandarin (a variety of orange), Kinnow, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit, Apple, Almond, Passion fruit, Pear, Sweet Potato and similar items can be easily transported.

Perishable vegetables like French beans, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower,Chillies (Green), Okra, Cucumber, Peas, Garlic, o­nion, Potato, Tomato, Large Cardamom, Pumpkin, Ginger, Cabbage, Squash, Turmeric (dry), Turmeric (raw) and similar items can be easily transported.

Agro-products like Bamboo, Rubber, and Betel nuts, Raw-turmeric, Black Pepper, Mustard, Soybean, Tea and Mandarin (Orange variety) can be transported through Kisan Rail from NE Region.

50% subsidy in freight, which is borne by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), is being granted o­n transportation of fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail services.

Presently the destinations like Agartala, Dimapur, Changsari, New Guwahati, Jorhat Town, Azara, Tinsukia are being covered by “Kisan Rail” in Northeast Frontier Railway. For detail information o­ne can contact 1) Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Katihar : 9771441950; 2) Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Alipurduar : 9002052950; 3) Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Rangiya : 9957554950; 4) Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Lumding : 9957553950; 5) Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Tinsukia : 9957555950; 6) Dy.CCM/Rates/Maligaon: 9957550953 7) Area Manager/Badarpur: 9957553901 or 7) Asst. Commercial Manager/Guwahati: 9957553954

Northeast Frontier Railway hopes that active support & cooperation of all stake holders will lead to increase in the income of farmers in very near future.