NBQ Workshop Leads in Rail Innovation and Sustainability

Guwahati: The New Bongaigaon (NBQ) Workshop under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is setting new benchmarks in railway maintenance, innovation, and sustainability through a series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at improving operational reliability, passenger experience, and environmental stewardship. Among the key upgrades is the installation of a D-Cal Cutting Plotter Machine, replacing the outdated screen-printing method for coach lettering. The new system offers more durable, visually appealing signage, enhancing both aesthetics and long-term maintenance quality. Addressing past complaints on en-route failures, the workshop has overhauled the Electro-Pneumatic Pressurized Flushing System (EPPFS). The process includes thorough servicing of the water pressurizer unit and testing of vital components such as control panels and non-return valves, significantly boosting reliability, especially on long-distance trains. In a major leap toward green energy, the workshop has commissioned a 1MW Rooftop Solar Project. Despite variable weather, it generates around 3,850 KWH daily, translating to an annual output of over 14 lakh KWH. With a power purchase rate of ₹4.30 per unit—far lower than the ₹9.39 rate from local utilities—the project is expected to save over ₹71.5 lakh annually, underlying NBQ's commitment to sustainability and cost efficiency. Further enhancing maintenance protocols, NBQ has developed an in-house Roof Leaky Test Facility for covered wagons. This innovative shower-testing system allows for the early detection of leaks and cracks, ensuring wagons are weather-proof before and after periodic overhauls. With these initiatives, the NBQ Workshop continues to lead by example, aligning with Indian Railways’ broader goals of modernization, enhanced service delivery, and environmental responsibility.