In Guwahati’s Forest Gate area, Narangi railway station has stood for decades, yet its role in the city’s transport network remains underwhelming, serving as a reminder of what many locals perceive as poor planning and misuse of taxpayer money. With only a single passenger train service connecting the station to Kolongpaar, the station’s infrastructure, purpose, and potential have come under critical scrutiny as officials and commuters alike question the value it offers to the public.
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Despite Guwahati’s status as one of Assam’s major cities, Narangi railway station remains barely utilised, with a sole train service halting here for passenger use. The Kolongpaar-bound passenger train serves as the only scheduled stop at Narangi, raising questions about the viability and relevance of the station. The absence of additional train services has left Narangi as little more than a minor outpost in the city’s transportation framework, rendering its existence largely redundant. Even the station’s ticket counter lacks a proper chamber, a glaring sign of its minimal infrastructure and low footfall.
In recent conversations, an official from Narangi station expressed the experience of working at a station with such limited services. “Only one train to Kolongpaar halts here for passenger service. No other train has any stoppage here. We generate revenue of around ₹2,000 daily, and while there are discussions to increase the train services here, it’s likely to take time,” the official shared. His words highlighted a station that operates with barely enough activity to justify its upkeep.
Alongside its limited transport role, Narangi station faces encroachment issues that have only compounded its sense of purposelessness. A section of the station’s boundary has been overtaken by vegetable vendors, who have established makeshift stalls along the perimeter. While these vendors rely on the small-scale trade for their livelihood, the encroachment has posed challenges for the station’s administration, adding to its rundown image. However, limited enforcement against the encroachers reflects the delicate socio-economic balance authorities must consider, as cracking down on these vendors could disrupt the livelihoods of economically disadvantaged groups.
Critics argue that the situation has been allowed to fester because of a lack of attention and inadequate resources directed toward maintaining the station’s premises. “The encroachment by vendors is just another indication of how low Narangi station is on the priority list,” a local commuter observed. “It’s ironic that the vendors find more value in this location than the railway authorities seem to.”
Narangi station’s infrastructure is rudimentary at best, offering little beyond the basics for commuters. Even as construction projects sporadically attempt to upgrade its facilities, these efforts remain far from completion and have yet to make a noticeable difference. The scale and pace of construction reflect the uncertainty surrounding the station’s long-term prospects, with no clear timeline for when the improvements will be finished or how they will enhance services.
A small team of approximately 11 staff members from various departments oversees operations at the station. Due to the low passenger volume, the employees do not feel overwhelmed by their duties, with minimal daily traffic requiring only routine maintenance and operational work. “We’re certainly not under-staffed given the current footfall,” noted one employee, alluding to the station’s minimal activity.
However, this lack of activity has prompted further criticisms about whether taxpayers’ money is being wisely spent. With limited services and low footfall, the question of whether Narangi’s continued existence is warranted has stirred debate, particularly as the city grapples with other infrastructure issues that might benefit from these allocated funds.
To address its irrelevance, railway authorities have proposed introducing additional trains that would make stops at Narangi, including the Shatabdi Express and a passenger service bound for Silchar. Such services would theoretically boost passenger numbers, but local residents remain sceptical of these promises. As of now, there has been no concrete timeline or clear indication of when these changes might come into effect, leaving commuters questioning the seriousness of the authorities' intentions.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about plans to make Narangi more accessible,” commented a local shop owner near the station. “They talk about bringing in new trains, but it feels like an empty promise. Until I see actual changes, it’s hard to believe anything will improve here.”
The absence of a timeline adds to a long list of unfulfilled commitments that have marred the station’s reputation over the years. As the city expands and transport demands grow, the reluctance to enhance Narangi’s connectivity appears increasingly incongruous. Local representatives have urged the railway department to commit to a plan of action, but progress remains slow, leaving many to believe that these announcements are merely superficial attempts to placate the public without addressing the underlying issues.
Narangi station’s current state has intensified scrutiny over the use of public funds, with critics questioning whether taxpayer money has been wasted on maintaining a facility that serves so few. The station’s low revenue—approximately ₹2,000 per day—reflects its lack of relevance and raises concerns about the prudence of its ongoing expenses. Given the minimal services, some argue that the resources dedicated to Narangi might be better invested in other parts of Guwahati’s rail infrastructure, which have higher passenger volumes and greater needs.
Public frustration is palpable, as residents contend that Narangi’s languishing status is symptomatic of a larger issue of misplaced priorities within the city’s infrastructure development. “The railway department should focus on facilities that truly benefit the public. Narangi is essentially a ghost station,” remarked a local activist advocating for improved urban planning in Guwahati.
For many, the key question is whether Narangi station was ever intended to serve a meaningful purpose or if it was an afterthought in the city’s rail network. The lack of forward planning has fuelled suspicions that the station’s construction was more an exercise in bureaucratic box-ticking than a genuine attempt to enhance public transport.
As debates continue over Narangi’s future, residents and local leaders are calling for increased accountability from railway authorities. Proposals include a reassessment of the station’s purpose, a review of resource allocation, and a transparent timetable for planned service enhancements. Many believe that without such measures, Narangi will continue to be a symbol of wasted potential in Guwahati’s transport infrastructure.
“Narangi station should either be upgraded with a clear plan or repurposed entirely. The current status benefits no one,” said a concerned local representative. This sentiment echoes a wider demand for transparency in public infrastructure projects, where inefficiency and redundancy undermine public confidence and create a perception of taxpayer neglect.
As it stands, Narangi railway station is emblematic of the challenges facing Guwahati’s urban development—a project that, without purposeful intervention, risks being remembered as an unnecessary strain on resources rather than a meaningful addition to the city’s transport network.
The coming months may determine whether Narangi will find its place within Guwahati’s evolving transport landscape or if it will remain an overlooked relic, bearing witness to the consequences of poor planning and bureaucratic inertia. For now, residents can only hope that this long-overdue conversation prompts meaningful action, shifting Narangi from a forgotten outpost to a functional part of Guwahati’s infrastructure.