Kashmir Impulse Desk

Guwahati, May 16 

Northeast Frontier Railway said on Friday it recorded robust freight loading across its divisions in April and announced new measures aimed at boosting regional trade and commodity movement, including opening two stations for Bangladesh-bound goods traffic and extending freight concessions for bamboo transport.

The railway zone said Rahamatpur and Pawakhali stations under its Katihar Division were opened from April 16 for handling outward and inward goods traffic, including consignments destined for Bangladesh.

The railway authorities also extended exemption of the Busy Season Surcharge on bamboo traffic transported in covered wagons for another year from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, in a move aimed at promoting bamboo transportation and supporting related industries.

According to officials, the Alipurduar Division loaded nine rakes comprising 378 wagons of potatoes from Dhupguri station to New Tinsukia and Salchapra, generating freight revenue of 16.1 million rupees.

The Katihar Division handled three rakes carrying 126 wagons of maize from Purnea Junction and Jalargarh stations, earning freight revenue of 3.3 million rupees.

The Lumding Division recorded major freight movement across several commodity categories. A total of 1,684 wagons of stone chips were transported from stations including Moinarband, Panchgram and Ditokcherra to destinations such as Jirania, Sabroom and Sairang, generating revenue of 76.4 million rupees.

The division also loaded 1986 wagons of cement from stations including Tetelia, Lanka and Salchapra to destinations across the Northeast and eastern India, earning freight revenue of Rs 109.6 million.

In addition, 400 wagons carrying petroleum oil and lubricants were booked during the month, generating Rs 34.1 million in revenue.

The railway zone said 20 wagons of bamboo chips were loaded from Lamsakhang station under Lumding Division, contributing freight earnings of Rs 1.8 million.

Northeast Frontier Railway said it would continue focusing on strengthening freight infrastructure, improving customer-oriented policies and enhancing transport efficiency to support economic activity and industrial growth in the Northeast and adjoining regions.