Salasar Techno completes Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section project, propels Assam to 100 per cent railway electrification
- October 27, 2026
Salasar Techno Engineering Ltd has successfully completed the physical execution of the Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section electrification under the Northeast Frontier Railway in Assam.
In a release, Salasar said that the project, executed for RITES Ltd under a Rs.170-crore contract, was the final and most demanding stretch that enabled the Ministry of Railways to announce 100 per cent railway electrification across Assam in September 2026.
Difficult topography
The project covers 172 route km (RKM) and 228 track km (TKM) through steep hills where landslides and cloudbursts are common. Salasar built the foundations, anchored the heavy traction masts and strung high-voltage overhead lines through narrow, low-clearance mountain zones. It also commissioned two traction substations at Langting and Haflong and eight switching stations that keep power flowing reliably along the corridor.
Commissioned in phases
The work was delivered in phases, with live sections handed over as they were ready. The 54-TKM Lumding–Langting stretch passed safety inspections and loco trial runs in May 2023, while the 51-TKM Chandranathpur–Badarpur and the 32-TKM Langting–Maibong segments received safety certification in March 2024.
In August 2026, the Northeast Frontier Railway began running electric goods freight trains on the Lumding, Langting and Maibong sections. Electrical Inspector to Government (EIG) clearances for the Bandarkhal and Jatinga Lampur switching stations were secured on July 30, 2026 and and August 5, 2026, respectively.
Vital connection
The Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section is the broad-gauge heavy freight rail corridor connecting the Barak Valley, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur to the rest of India. With electric locomotives replacing diesel engines, the fragile mountain ecosystem sees lower emissions, supporting Indian Railways’ goal of a Net-Zero Carbon Emission Network. The corridor also gains faster, more weather-resilient movement for everyday freight and strategic transport.
Proud moment
Commenting on the achievement, Shashank Agarwal, Managing Director, Salasar Techno Engineering Ltd, said, “Completing the final stretch of Assam’s railway electrification is a proud moment for everyone at Salasar. The Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section tested us at every step, from anchoring masts on landslide-prone slopes to securing rigorous safety clearances, and our teams delivered with discipline and perseverance. We are grateful to RITES and the Northeast Frontier Railway for their trust and support. This corridor is a lifeline for the region, and seeing it move to clean, reliable electric traction is what makes the effort worthwhile. We will keep building the infrastructure that India’s growth depends on.”