Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) new wagon periodic overhaul (POH) workshop at Bashbari in Kokrajhar district is likely to be built by December 2027. Foundation stone for this workshop project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 13,2026.
The workshop is being developed over an area of about 669 acres at an estimated cost of over Rs 256 crores to strengthen freight wagon maintenance capacity in NFR and falls under the Alipurduar Division.
Project details
The project is being executed under the Gati Shakti Unit of NFR at Maligaon, with pre -construction activities currently in progress.
Major infrastructure works include construction of a 3000-metre boundary wall with fencing, a G+2 administrative building, a covered workshop shed with embedded tracks, and a road over bridge (ROB) along with permanent way materials such as rails, sleepers and ballast.
Electrical infrastructure will include 33 kV transmission line connectivity, substations, DG backup systems, high mast and LED lighting, while signalling, telecom and advanced mechanical facilities such as EOT cranes, CNC portal wheel lathe, wheel press and bogie manipulators will be installed to support modern wagon maintenance operations.
Benefits
Once completed, it will improve availability of freight wagons by increasing repair capacity, reduce turnaround time, thereby improving operational efficiency, grow freight movement and generating employment opportunities besides promoting skill development and encouraging the growth of ancillary industries.
The workshop will further boost regional development, with planned rail and road connectivity from Bashbari Railway Station and Gauripur Road to ensure smooth operational access.
The project also aligns with the Memorandum of Settlement signed on 27th January 2020 between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and Bodoland groups for the development of the Bodoland Territorial Region.
