NFR begins work on Rs 536-Cr Deepor Beel viaduct, eyes March 2028 completion
Amid environmental concerns, Railway officials said the project will help reduce train-elephant conflict while ensuring compliance with Forest Department norms
Construction begins for elevated railway corridor in Deepor Beel (Photo: AT)
Guwahati, June 13: Amid recent protests and concerns over tree felling in the Deepor Beel area, construction of the elevated railway corridor has begun, with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) targeting completion of the project by March 2028.
The Rs 536-crore initiative is aimed at providing a long-term solution to train-elephant collisions in the sensitive wildlife corridor.
Speaking to The Assam Tribune, NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said, “Railways is making efforts to complete the project by March 31, 2028, or earlier.”
The project involves the construction of a 4.7-km elevated railway viaduct through the Deepor Beel area, where several elephants have been killed in train accidents over the years.
In addition to the viaduct, the project includes retaining walls, embankments, minor bridges, track work, overhead electrification, and signalling and telecommunication infrastructure.
Sharma said the contract was awarded to M/s SPSCIPLMGCPL (JV), with the agreement signed in January 2026. “Site clearance work is currently underway, while preliminary activities, including construction of test piles, have already started,” he added.
According to NFR, the elevated corridor is designed to permanently address the train-elephant conflict by separating railway operations from elephant movement routes.
At present, trains passing through the stretch are subject to a permanent speed restriction of 30 kmph owing to the wildlife corridor.
Addressing concerns over the project's ecological impact, Sharma said construction is being carried out in accordance with conditions laid down by the Forest Department.
He added that NFR would continue coordinating with forest authorities and implement recommended measures to minimise environmental impact.
Stating that no major challenges are affecting the project, Sharma said work is progressing as planned. Once completed, the corridor will eliminate the need for trains to pass through the elephant corridor at ground level.
“The project will enhance the safety of train operations and allow higher train speeds, as the existing permanent speed restriction of 30 kmph on this section can be removed,” he said.