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NFR's First Full Freight Rake from Meghalaya Marks New Era for Northeast Trade

The Northeast Frontier Railway has successfully loaded its first full freight rake at Mendipathar station in Meghalaya, marking a historic milestone for the state's railway network. The operation, completed in just eight and a half hours, involved 42 wagons transporting coal to Bihar. This achievement follows steady growth in freight handling at the station since its first unloading in February 2025. The development is expected to significantly boost the local economy by improving market access and enabling cost-effective transportation of goods in the region.

Key Points: NFR Loads First Full Freight Rake in Meghalaya at Mendipathar

  • First full freight rake from Meghalaya
  • 42 wagons loaded in 8.5 hours
  • Boost for local economy and industries
  • Enhances connectivity in hilly regions
2 min read

NFR achieves major milestone with first full rake freight loading in Meghalaya

Northeast Frontier Railway achieves milestone with first full freight rake loaded at Mendipathar, Meghalaya, boosting regional economy and connectivity.

"With commencement of freight loading, it will signify the operational preparedness of Mendipathar station to handle large-scale freight traffic in a complete manner. - Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO, NFR"

Guwahati, Jan 3

The Northeast Frontier Railway has achieved a significant milestone in freight operations with the successful completion of the first-ever loading of a full freight rake at Mendipathar railway station in Meghalaya, officials said on Saturday.

NFR's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the coal loading operation commenced on December 28 from Mendipathar to Jalalgarh (in Purnia district of Bihar), as a full rake consisting of 42 body covered wagons was loaded within eight hours and 30 minutes, demonstrating efficient planning, coordinated teamwork and operational readiness of railway staff.

This landmark achievement marks the first ever railway freight loadings for the state of Meghalaya, CPRO Sharma added.

He said that Mendipathar being one and the only station in Meghalaya, marked its existence in the railway freight map with the first freight unloading on February 4 last year.

Since then, freight unloading operations at the station (Mendipathar) have shown steady growth, with a total of 29 mini-rakes and 6 full rakes, equivalent to 20.5 full rakes, unloaded between February and December 2025.

"With commencement of freight loading, it will signify the operational preparedness of Mendipathar station to handle large-scale freight traffic in a complete manner," CPRO Sharma added.

Freight loading and unloading operations at Mendipathar is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy of Meghalaya by facilitating the outward and inward movement of goods in an easy, reliable, and economical manner, particularly for hilly and otherwise not easily accessible areas.

These operations will support regional industries, improve market access for commodities originating in the region, and enable cost-effective transportation of essential goods, the CPRO said.

The NFR, headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of Bihar.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Assam, I've seen how NFR's improvements change lives. This milestone in Mendipathar is a big step. Hopefully, the cost of essential goods in Meghalaya will come down with cheaper transportation.
R
Rohit P
Great achievement, but I hope the environmental impact of increased coal movement is properly managed. The Northeast's ecology is fragile. Development is good, but not at the cost of our forests and rivers.
S
Sarah B
Efficient logistics are the backbone of any economy. Loading a full rake in under 9 hours is impressive operational efficiency. This is how infrastructure development should work – creating tangible results.
K
Karthik V
Bahut badhiya! This is what "Act East Policy" looks like on the ground. Connecting the Northeast's resources to markets in Bihar and beyond will reduce the region's economic isolation. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
The data is promising – from first unload in Feb to full load now, and 20.5 equivalent rakes handled. Shows steady scaling. Hope the local communities are involved and benefit directly from this trade corridor.

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