Guwahati, June 3 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has further enhanced its infrastructure maintenance capabilities with the induction of a Rail-Borne Maintenance Vehicle (RBMV), designed to undertake critical track and engineering maintenance activities with greater efficiency, precision, and safety, officials said on Wednesday.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the newly procured vehicle will play a vital role in supporting maintenance operations across difficult and strategically important railway sections, particularly in the under-construction and challenging Bairabi–Sairang railway project in Mizoram.

He said the advanced maintenance vehicle is equipped with modern features that enable the transportation of men, materials, and maintenance equipment directly to work sites in remote, inaccessible areas.

The vehicle is also fitted with specialised lifting and handling arrangements, allowing railway personnel to carry out track-related works, component replacements, and emergency restoration activities in a safe and time-bound manner.

According to the CPRO, its deployment will significantly reduce reliance on conventional maintenance methods and improve overall operational efficiency.

Sharma said the Bairabi–Sairang section, which traverses hilly terrain and presents unique engineering challenges, requires robust maintenance support for ensuring safe and reliable railway operations. The induction of this maintenance vehicle will facilitate the same during inspections and infrastructure upkeep activities.

The vehicle will also be useful for preventive maintenance, thereby helping minimise disruptions and enhance asset reliability, the official stated.

Noting that safety remains the foremost priority for NFR, the CPRO said the deployment of this modern maintenance vehicle is expected to strengthen safety standards by providing railway personnel with a dedicated, efficient platform for undertaking maintenance work under demanding field conditions.

The improved mechanisation of maintenance activities will also reduce manual handling of heavy equipment and materials, thereby enhancing workplace safety and productivity.

The 51.38-kilometre-long Bairabi (near southern Assam)–Sairang (near Aizawl) section was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aizawl on September 13 last year (2025).

A senior official of the NFR said the project showcases exceptional engineering, comprising 45 tunnels, 143 bridges (including one taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar), and four new stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang.

–IANS

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