Guwahati: Assam has achieved 100 per cent electrification of its railway network, marking a significant milestone for the state’s rail infrastructure, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on September 14.
Sarma said the completion of the electrification project means the entire railway network in Assam is now equipped to operate trains using electric traction, paving the way for cleaner and more energy-efficient rail transportation across the state.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the achievement had been accomplished over the past 12 years. He noted that before 2014, several parts of Assam did not have broad-gauge railway connectivity.
Sarma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with giving a major push to railway infrastructure in Assam and bringing the state closer to the national rail network in terms of development.
He also acknowledged the role of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and former Railway Ministers Piyush Goyal and Suresh Prabhu in advancing the electrification drive since 2014.
According to Sarma, Vaishnaw played a key role in steering the electrification programme towards completion, while Goyal and Prabhu contributed to taking the initiative forward during their respective tenures.
The completion of railway electrification is expected to facilitate cleaner train operations in Assam, while reducing reliance on diesel-powered locomotives and supporting more energy-efficient rail transport.