In a significant boost to railway infrastructure, Assam and the Northeast have added 1,824 km of new railway tracks since 2014, surpassing the total railway network of Sri Lanka. This milestone highlights the region’s rapid transformation under the government’s ambitious infrastructure push.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the achievement, stating, “Did you know, the railway network in Assam and NE has expanded by 1,824km in the last decade, that’s more than the total rail network of Sri Lanka!! That’s the Modi Govt’s focus on Northeast.”
For the fiscal year 2025-26, the Indian Railways has allocated a record-breaking ₹10,440 crore for railway projects in Assam and the Northeast—nearly five times the budgetary support received between 2009 and 2014. The substantial increase in funding is aimed at modernizing and expanding rail connectivity, boosting economic activities, and integrating the region with the national rail network.
Currently, railway projects worth ₹74,972 crore are underway in the region, focusing on enhancing passenger and freight services to improve trade and accessibility. Additionally, under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 50 railway stations in Assam are being redeveloped with world-class amenities to improve passenger convenience and infrastructure.
The expansion and modernization of the Northeast railway network mark a strategic shift towards enhanced regional connectivity, aligning with the broader vision of economic development and national integration.