Kamakhya Railway Station redevelopment project expected to be completed by year-end
The redevelopment of Kamakhya Railway Station, part of the Indian Railways' plan to modernise 400 key stations across the country, is finally nearing completion after years of setbacks. The ₹228-crore project, initially launched in 2017 by then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, aims to transform Kamakhya station into a modern transport hub with world-class passenger amenities. Despite multiple delays, officials now claim that nearly 50 per cent of the work has been completed, with the remainder expected to be finished by the end of 2025.
The station, a key junction in Assam's railway network, was selected among 23 other for redevelopment in the first phase of the railway ministry’s modernisation drive. The project was envisioned to provide state-of-the-art facilities, including a spacious concourse area, lounges, upgraded washrooms, cloakrooms, ATMs, retail shops, and improved catering services. Additionally, a four-lane flyover was planned to integrate the station seamlessly with bus services and the proposed metro line, aiming to ease congestion and improve connectivity for thousands of daily commuters.
While the project was initially planned under a public-private partnership (PPP) model to minimise financial strain on Indian Railways, progress stalled due to legal complications concerning land acquisition.
"The project started around five years ago but was discontinued due to some legal land-related matters. After everything was settled, the work restarted, and 50 per cent of the project is complete. We are hopeful to complete the remaining by the end of this year," said Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, speaking to GPlus.
According to reports, in addition to its station redevelopment, Kamakhya is also undergoing a significant expansion, backed by a ₹5,000-crore infrastructure investment. This includes track doubling on the New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Kamakhya and New Bongaigaon-Rangiya-Kamakhya routes, as well as the construction of a four-line elevated track from Kamakhya to New Guwahati. These enhancements are expected to ease rail traffic significantly by eliminating 12 level crossings in Guwahati.
Kamakhya Junction is currently handling around 6,000 passengers per day, but with the completion of these projects, railway officials expect it to accommodate approximately 40,000 passengers daily. This anticipated surge in passenger footfall underscores the urgency of completing the station’s infrastructure upgrades.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the redevelopment plan, the project faced multiple hurdles. Legal disputes over land acquisition halted progress for an extended period, leading to frustration among passengers and local residents. Bureaucratic red tape and funding delays further compounded the problem, forcing railway authorities to reassess project timelines.
While the original plan envisioned a station with world-class facilities, prolonged delays have resulted in a scaled-down version of the redevelopment. The estimated budget for the station's redevelopment now stands at ₹90 crore—significantly lower than initial projections—raising concerns about whether all promised amenities will be delivered as planned.
"People have been hearing about Kamakhya station's redevelopment for years, but all they see is construction work dragging on forever. The delays are frustrating, and the facilities are still inadequate," said a frequent commuter who preferred to remain anonymous.
According to railway officials, major structural work at Kamakhya has been completed, with the focus now shifting to interior development. The doubling project includes the construction of two additional platforms, four new railway lines, and a new station building, which is currently in the interior furnishing phase.
Additionally, three foot overbridges are planned to enhance passenger movement and safety within the station premises. Of these, one has already been completed, while the other two are in different stages of development.
"At present, interior work of the station building is ongoing. Three foot overbridges are also in the pipeline, out of which one has been completed," said the official.
Passengers have expressed cautious optimism about the progress. "We hope the new facilities will finally improve our travel experience. Right now, the station lacks even basic amenities, and the ongoing construction makes it even worse," said another commuter.
With officials now setting an end-2025 target for completion, the question remains whether Kamakhya Railway Station’s redevelopment will finally be completed as promised. Given the past delays, many commuters remain sceptical about meeting this timeline. However, railway authorities insist that work is progressing at a steady pace and that no further major setbacks are expected.
The project is seen as crucial not only for Guwahati’s railway network but also for the broader Northeast railway corridor, which has long suffered from inadequate infrastructure and underdevelopment. The completion of Kamakhya’s transformation could set a precedent for further modernisation efforts across the region.
"We are hopeful that the remaining work will be completed by the end of this year. Once fully operational, the station will provide better connectivity, ease congestion, and offer much-improved facilities for passengers," the official added.
Whether the station will truly meet the world-class standards promised back in 2017 remains to be seen. For now, passengers and residents of Guwahati can only wait and hope that this time, the authorities will finally deliver on their commitments.
