Guwahati: Indian Railways has undertaken a comprehensive transformation of rail infrastructure in Assam through sustained investment, modern technology and a passenger-centric approach, significantly expanding connectivity, safety and amenities across the state.
Officials said railway development in Assam has received high priority since 2014 as part of efforts to promote inclusive growth, regional integration and economic progress. The impact of this push is evident in railway network expansion, electrification, station redevelopment, safety measures and passenger facilities.
Over the past five years, Indian Railways has constructed 416 km of new railway track in Assam. This includes a 50-km new line between Bilasipara and Abhayapuri, completed in 2021, and 366 km of doubling works aimed at improving line capacity and operational efficiency. Assam’s railway network currently spans 2,571 route kilometres and 4,199 track kilometres, improving connectivity across major economic centres, urban hubs and remote regions.
Electrification has emerged as a major milestone, with about 95 per cent of the state’s rail network electrified. A total of 2,456 route kilometres have already been electrified, while work on the remaining 116 route kilometres is nearing completion. With this, long-distance trains such as the Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express and the Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express are now operating entirely on electric traction.
Passenger amenities have also seen significant upgrades through large-scale station redevelopment. Fifty stations in Assam are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Haibargaon station, inaugurated in May 2025, became the first Amrit Bharat station in the state, featuring modern architecture, upgraded waiting areas, enhanced passenger amenities and facilities for Divyangjan.
Officials said passenger convenience has further improved with the installation of 46 lifts across stations, including 24 in Assam, and 33 escalators across Northeast Frontier Railway, of which 21 are in the state. Wi-Fi facilities have also been provided at 218 stations in Assam.
Assam has joined India’s semi-high-speed rail network with the introduction of the Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express.
In the coming months, Indian Railways will introduce a sleeper-class Vande Bharat Express between Kamakhya in Assam and Kolkata in West Bengal. The Railways will also introduce two Amrit Bharat non-AC trains on the Dibrugarh–Gomtinagar and Kamakhya–Rohtak routes.
Safety and sustainability initiatives have included the construction of over 28 road overbridges and 270 road underbridges, the closure of 152 level crossing gates and the deployment of India’s first AI-based Intrusion Detection System for elephant protection.
Indian Railways has also strengthened rail heritage conservation efforts by establishing the Railway Heritage Park and Museum at New Tinsukia.
Indian Railways has taken up several major infrastructure projects since 2014, including the doubling of the Lumding–Dibrugarh section, construction of the New Saraighat rail-cum-road bridge targeted for completion by 2029, development of an elevated rail corridor between Azara and Kamakhya, a third rail line between Kamakhya and New Guwahati, and the 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu (Bhutan) new line sanctioned in September 2025.
Additional initiatives include the development of five Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, installation of 1,052 AI-enabled CCTV cameras at 50 stations, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as drone-based cleaning systems and underwater robotic inspections of railway bridges.
Officials said the ongoing transformation of Assam’s railway infrastructure aims to strengthen connectivity, enhance passenger comfort and integrate the state more closely with the national transport and economic network.