Assam’s Kanak Deka scripts history with Northeast’s first private rail corridor, invests Rs 250 crore in landmark logistics hub

Assam-based entrepreneur Kanak Deka has established the region’s first private railway corridor, marking a transformative moment in the logistics and manufacturing landscape of the state.

Hailing from Kamalpur in Kamrup district, Deka’s ambitious vision has culminated in the creation of the BRGB Gati Shakti Railway Terminal, now officially mapped on the Indian Railways network—an uncommon achievement for an individual entrepreneur anywhere in the country. 

What began as a bold idea evolved into a full-scale infrastructure venture, including the purchase of two complete trains to operationalise freight movement through the private corridor.

Developed under the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti Scheme, the project spans approximately 300 bighas, converting a previously underutilised expanse into a fast-emerging industrial and logistics hub. The total investment in the project stands at around Rs 250 crore, backed by a larger Rs 500-crore commitment formalised during Advantage Assam 2. 

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Freight operations have commenced under the BRGB name, integrating the terminal into the national rail freight grid.

The corridor is expected to streamline the transportation of goods between the Northeast and other parts of India, significantly reducing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiency. Major corporations, including Tata Group, Mahindra Group, Sonalika and Hindustan Unilever, have already aligned with the facility to utilise its freight capabilities.

The project is also poised to generate nearly 1,000 employment opportunities for local youth, providing a substantial boost to the regional economy. The inauguration of the corridor is scheduled to be carried out by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, underscoring the government’s emphasis on private participation in infrastructure development.

Beyond its economic implications, the initiative represents a broader shift in the Northeast’s industrial narrative—demonstrating that large-scale, capital-intensive infrastructure projects can originate from within the region itself. For Assam, the BRGB corridor stands as both a logistics milestone and a statement of entrepreneurial confidence; for Kanak Deka, it marks the realisation of a vision that places him among the emerging industrial voices of the Northeast.