Northeast Frontier Railway Reports Significant Growth in Freight Unloading Activities

In December 2025, the Northeast Frontier Railway reported an impressive 8.7% increase in freight unloading activities, with 1,287 rakes processed. This growth highlights the railway's commitment to ensuring the timely transportation of essential goods across the Northeastern states. Additionally, the Railway Protection Force made significant strides in safety and humanitarian efforts, rescuing individuals and apprehending offenders involved in theft and illegal activities. The report underscores the railway's role in supporting economic activities and enhancing operational efficiency in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 18, 2026, 11:02 IST

Northeast Frontier Railway's December Achievements

Guwahati, Jan 18: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), based in Maligaon, has reported a notable increase in freight unloading activities for December 2025.

In total, 1,287 freight rakes were unloaded during the month, marking an 8.7% rise from the 1,184 rakes unloaded in December 2024. NFR facilitated the seamless transportation of a variety of essential and non-essential goods, including rice, sugar, salt, edible oils, food grains, fertilizers, cement, coal, vegetables, automobiles, and tankers, according to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NFR.

These shipments were managed at multiple goods sheds within the railway's jurisdiction, ensuring timely delivery and operational reliability. A significant portion of the freight movement was aimed at fulfilling the needs of the Northeastern states, Sharma added.

Assam alone accounted for 689 rakes, with 351 of those carrying essential items.

In addition, Tripura saw 106 rakes unloaded, while Nagaland had 23, Arunachal Pradesh 9, Manipur 23, Meghalaya 3, and Mizoram 22. West Bengal recorded 225 rakes, and Bihar had 187 rakes unloaded within NFR's jurisdiction.

Sharma emphasized that the ongoing transport of essential goods is crucial for meeting the daily needs of the population, while the movement of industrial products is vital for bolstering economic activities in the region. Enhanced monitoring and coordinated efforts at all operational levels have contributed to reduced turnaround times and improved unloading efficiency.

In December, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of NFR apprehended 17 individuals linked to thefts and recovered 17 stolen mobile phones valued at around Rs 2.22 lakh, which were handed over to the relevant Government Railway Police (GRP) units.

Additionally, RPF personnel rescued a woman who slipped while boarding Train No. 13125 at Guwahati railway station, averting a serious incident.

Humanitarian efforts were also a priority, with RPF rescuing 36 minors and three women in December 2025, who were subsequently handed over to Childline, NGOs, and GRP for care and rehabilitation.

RPF provided timely help to two pregnant women during childbirth at railway stations.

Moreover, five individuals were arrested for throwing stones at moving trains, and cleanliness drives led to the prosecution of 1,722 offenders for littering, resulting in fines totaling approximately Rs 2.29 lakh.

In total, 2,669 cases were filed under the Railways Act, leading to the arrest and prosecution of 2,632 offenders and the collection of fines amounting to around Rs 3.36 lakh, Sharma reported.

RPF also apprehended five touts in December, seizing 13 railway tickets from them.

A significant crackdown on narcotics resulted in the detection of 32 cases, with the recovery of ganja, heroin, brown sugar, and cough syrup valued at about Rs 3.16 crore, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals.

Additionally, 39 cases of illegal liquor smuggling were uncovered, resulting in the seizure of 2,960 bottles worth approximately Rs 2.98 lakh. RPF assisted the Commercial Department in catching 325 ticketless travelers, collecting fines of Rs 4.85 lakh, prosecuting 293 individuals for smoking violations, and recovering 118 pieces of lost luggage valued at around Rs 26.80 lakh, which were returned to their owners.

RPF also collaborated with the Engineering Department to remove 115 encroachments at various sites, concluded the NFR CPRO.