Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that detailed project reports (DPR) have been prepared for two new railway lines in Assam: the Agthori (Guwahati)–Dekargaon (Tezpur) line, measuring 129 km, and the Dekargaon (Tezpur)–Silghat line, which is 25 km long. During the Lok Sabha proceedings, the minister explained that the approval process for these railway projects involves consulting various stakeholders and obtaining necessary approvals from organizations such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, the timelines for implementation will hinge on the outcomes of these consultations and approvals.
Currently, Tezpur is serviced by the Dekargaon railway station, which has six pairs of passenger train services linking it to Guwahati and other regions of Assam, including express, intercity, and regular passenger trains. To enhance passenger amenities and rail infrastructure, the Ministry has initiated the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims for the long-term redevelopment of railway stations. This scheme addresses multiple aspects such as access to stations, infrastructural improvements to buildings, waiting areas, platforms, the addition of foot overbridges, lifts, escalators, passenger information systems, accommodations for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities), parking facilities, multimodal integration, and the promotion of local products.
Nationwide, 1,337 stations have been earmarked for this redevelopment, with 50 of those located in Assam. Progress on redevelopment projects is underway, exemplified by the completion of works at Haibargaon station and ongoing efforts at major stations including Rangapara North Junction, Majbat, Viswanath Chariali, and Fakiragram Junction. The station redevelopment is a continuous endeavor for Indian Railways that must consider safety and statutory clearances; thus, completion timelines can vary based on site-specific challenges and fund availability.
Furthermore, the funding for the development, upgradation, and modernization of stations, including those under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, is generally sourced from Plan Head-53, designated for ‘Customer Amenities’. The allocation and expenditure details are managed on a zonal railway basis rather than being categorized workwise, station-wise, or state-wise. For the current year, Rs 435 crore has been allocated for the Northeast Frontier Railway under this Plan Head, with Rs 365 crore reported as spent up to December 2025.
