Salasar Techno Engineering Limited has completed physical work on the Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section railway electrification project in Assam, contributing to the Ministry of Railways’ announcement of 100% railway electrification across the state in September 2026. The ₹170 crore project, executed for RITES Limited under Northeast Frontier Railway, covered 172 route kilometres (RKM) and 228 track kilometres (TKM) across challenging mountainous terrain.
The project involved electrifying railway lines through steep hills and landslide-prone areas, where cloudbursts and difficult weather conditions frequently disrupt infrastructure development. The completion marks a significant step towards replacing diesel-powered train operations with electric traction, improving railway efficiency and reducing emissions along a key transport corridor in Northeast India.
Railway Electrification Across Challenging Terrain
The Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section presented several engineering challenges, including steep gradients, restricted clearances and limited access to construction sites. Salasar constructed foundations, installed heavy traction masts and laid high-voltage overhead electrical lines through narrow mountain sections.
The company also commissioned two traction substations at Langting and Haflong, along with eight switching stations to support the power supply required for electric train operations along the corridor.
The work was completed in phases, allowing operational sections to be handed over as they became ready. The 54 TKM Lumding–Langting stretch cleared safety inspections and locomotive trial runs in May 2023.
The 51 TKM Chandranathpur–Badarpur and 32 TKM Langting–Maibong sections received safety certification in March 2024. In August 2026, Northeast Frontier Railway began operating electric freight trains on the Lumding, Langting and Maibong sections.
Further clearances from the Electrical Inspector to the Government were received for the Bandarkhal and Jatinga Lampur switching stations on 30 July and 5 August 2026, respectively.
Electric Traction to Reduce Railway Emissions
The Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section is an important broad-gauge railway corridor connecting the Barak Valley, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur with the rest of India. Its electrification is expected to improve freight movement and strengthen transport connectivity across the region.
Replacing diesel locomotives with electric traction is expected to reduce direct emissions from railway operations and support more energy-efficient transportation. The project also contributes to Indian Railways’ broader objective of developing a net-zero carbon emission network.
Electrification could further improve operational reliability in a region frequently affected by heavy rainfall, landslides and other weather-related disruptions. By strengthening railway infrastructure, the project is expected to support freight transportation and regional economic activity.
Salasar Highlights Infrastructure Execution Capabilities
Shashank Agarwal, Managing Director of Salasar Techno Engineering Limited, said completing the final stretch of Assam’s railway electrification was a significant achievement for the company.
He highlighted the engineering challenges involved in installing traction masts on landslide-prone slopes and securing the required safety clearances. Agarwal also acknowledged the support of RITES and Northeast Frontier Railway during project execution.
He added that the corridor plays an important role in regional connectivity and that its transition to electric traction represents progress towards cleaner and more reliable railway infrastructure.
The completion of the Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section reinforces the role of railway electrification in improving transport efficiency and reducing dependence on diesel-powered operations. It also supports India’s broader efforts to modernise railway infrastructure while lowering the environmental impact of freight and passenger transportation.
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