GUWAHATI, Sept 13 - As part of its drive towards modernisation of services and upgrading of passenger amenities, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has undertaken a number of initiatives during recent months in the areas comprising the Rangiya Division, which covers a large region of lower Assam as well as Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
Senior NFR officials told The Assam Tribune that among the work undertaken are renovation of existing passenger facilities and starting new amenities, besides setting up of new passenger reservation systems (PRS).
�Rangiya Division of NFR has been taking steps to upgrade the passenger amenities. Recently the renovated two-bed AC retiring room and two-bed non-AC retiring room were inaugurated at Rangiya Station,� said NFR Chief PRO PJ Sharma.
The circulating area of the Rangiya Station has been developed after removing a number of unauthorised structures and other encroachments.
�A spacious circulating area with separate entry and exit has been provided at the Rangiya Station. In addition, one new AC dormitory has been set up at the station,� said the official.
He said that work is on at an advanced stage at the New Bongaigaon Station on some passenger amenities like upper class AC and second class waiting room at the entrance of the platform.
�Work is also continuing on upgradation and beautification of the circulating area with landscaping and improvement of station fa�ade. Plans are afoot to carry out similar exercises in other major stations as well,� Sharma said.
The division has taken the initiative for opening upper class, second class (Gents) and second class (Ladies) waiting rooms and improvement of circulating area with landscaping at the North Lakhimpur station.
NFR has commissioned seven unreserved ticketing system (UTS)-cum-PRS in the Rangiya Division. They are at Biswanath Chariali, Harmuti, Gohpur, Naharlagun, Mendipathar, Murkongselek and Bhalukpong stations.
In addition, 16 UTSs were commissioned in recent months at Nizbargang, Biswanath Chariali, Helem, Gohpur, Duia, Titabahar, Harmuti, Naharlagun, Gumto, Mendipathar, North Lakhimpur, Kathalpukhuri, Silonibari, Dhemaji, Singra and Murkongselek stations.
A non-railway head PRS has been commissioned at Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh.
Online booking facility has been provided for retiring rooms at Rangiya, New Bongaigaon, Bongaigaon, Barpeta Road and Goalpara town in Rangiya Division.
NFR has also provided one 15 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) diesel generator for emergency power supply at Chaygaon Station for improving the lighting arrangement at the station, in addition to ensuring availability of water supply in case of power supply failure.
Besides, a 125 kVA diesel generator set at Barpeta Road and a 15 kVA diesel generator set at Dekargaon stations have been installed and commissioned for emergency power supply.
Officials said that one high mast tower has been set up in Nalbari Railway Station circulating area to improve lighting facility for passengers.
Asked if similar exercises are expected in the other divisions also, NFR PRO Nripen Bhattacharya said, �Along with Rangiya Division, developmental activities will also be carried out in the other four divisions under NFR this year.�
The Rangiya Division has witnessed expansion of railway services in the past one year and a half. These include start of railway services to Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh as well as broad gauge train services to the north bank of Assam.
