Northeast Frontier Railway records first full-rake freight loading in Meghalaya

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has marked a historic step in Meghalaya’s rail connectivity with the successful loading of the state’s first full freight rake from Mendipathar railway station, officials confirmed.

According to NFR, the coal consignment was dispatched on December 28 from Mendipathar to Jalalgarh in Bihar’s Purnia district. The operation involved a complete rake of 42 covered wagons, which was loaded in just over eight and a half hours, reflecting strong coordination, efficient planning, and operational preparedness by railway personnel.

The development represents the first instance of outbound railway freight loading from Meghalaya, placing the state firmly on India’s rail freight map. Mendipathar, the only railway station in the state, had earlier recorded its first freight unloading on February 4 last year. Since then, inbound freight activity has steadily increased, with 29 mini-rakes and six full rakes—equivalent to 20.5 full rakes—handled at the station between February and December 2025.

With the commencement of both loading and unloading operations, Mendipathar has now demonstrated its capability to manage end-to-end freight movements, Sharma said, adding that the station is fully equipped to handle large-scale cargo traffic.

Railway officials expect the expanded freight operations to deliver a significant economic boost to Meghalaya by enabling smoother, more reliable and cost-effective transportation of goods to and from the state, particularly benefiting its hilly and remote areas. Improved rail access is also expected to support local industries, enhance market reach for regional commodities, and reduce logistics costs for essential supplies.

Headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, the Northeast Frontier Railway oversees rail operations across the Northeastern states, along with parts of West Bengal and Bihar.