Kokrajhar: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is laying the groundwork for a major industrial boost in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with a new Wagon Periodic Overhauling (POH) workshop.
NFR General Manager, Chetan Kumar Srivastava, undertook a site inspection at Basbari in Kokrajhar district on Thursday, underscoring the project’s strategic importance for regional development and future freight demands. Srivastava, during his visit, stressed the need for timely completion, emphasising that the workshop is poised to be a significant catalyst for economic growth in the region.
The ambitious project, with an estimated Phase I cost of Rs 256.35 crore, is designed to have a total capacity of overhauling 250 wagons per month, with Phase I targeting 75 wagons monthly. Officials highlighted that the workshop will be a boon for local employment, skill development, and the growth of allied industries, transforming the BTR into a key logistics and industrial hub. The GM’s visit comes as NFR anticipates a surge in freight traffic following the completion of several sanctioned rail infrastructure projects, including new lines and track doubling.
The Basbari POH workshop, spread across an expansive 2,500 bighas (825 acres), is strategically located just a kilometre from the Basbari railway station and 17 km from Rupsi Airport, ensuring seamless multimodal connectivity. The facility is being planned with modern amenities, including dedicated shops for stripping, body repair, painting, and quality control, with a phased ramp-up to its full overhaul capacity. During his inspection, Srivastava reiterated the importance of adhering to the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability throughout the project’s execution. The workshop is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing NFR’s operational efficiency and supporting the burgeoning economy of the Northeast.
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