Rail link to several NE states remains disrupted since two weeks after track subsidence in Assam
Guwahati, Aug 6
The rail connectivity between southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the rest of the country has remained disrupted for more than a fortnight after heavy rainfall damaged railway tracks along the strategically important Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section, officials said on Thursday.
According to a senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official, train services on the vital Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section under the Lumding Division have been partially disrupted following incessant moderate to heavy rainfall in and around New Harangajao station in the mountainous Dima Hasao district (formerly North Cachar Hills district) of Assam.
The official said that continuous heavy rain triggered subsidence of the soil beneath two of the three railway tracks near New Harangajao station, affecting a stretch of nearly 300 metres and severely disrupting train operations.
He said that restoration work has been progressing under challenging conditions, but persistent moderate to heavy rainfall and inclement weather have significantly hampered repair efforts, delaying the resumption of normal services.
He said that a huge number of workers, railway personnel, engineering teams, and heavy machinery have been deployed on a war footing to restore the affected tracks and lines section at the earliest.
"We are unable to say when the normal train services would restart. Regular train operations are expected to resume once the restoration work is completed safely," the official said.
According to the NFR official, the settlement of the railway tracks (Line 1 and Line 2) near New Harangajao station has disrupted train operations over the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section.
At present, all train movements on the route are being operated through Line 3 under strict monitoring and enhanced safety measures to ensure safe passage of trains.
In view of the ongoing restoration work, the NFR has cancelled the Guwahati-Silchar Express on August 6 and 8, while many other trains connecting southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur have either been rescheduled, regulated, or partially cancelled.
In the interest of passenger safety, the operation of passenger-carrying trains through the affected section has been suspended during night hours between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.
During the daytime, trains are being allowed to pass through the affected stretch under regulated conditions with continuous and close monitoring.
Consequently, several trains operating along the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section have been rescheduled, cancelled or regulated, the official said.
The Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section serves as the only rail link connecting Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and southern Assam with the rest of the country, making it one of the most vital and strategically important railway corridors in the Northeast.
Any disruption on this route has a cascading impact on passenger movement as well as the transportation of foodgrains, fuel, construction materials and other essential commodities to the region.
Every year during the monsoon season, railway infrastructure across parts of the Northeast remains highly vulnerable to rain, floods, landslides and soil erosion, frequently disrupting the movement of both passenger and goods train along the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section.
The four-month monsoon period, from June to September, often causes extensive damage to railway tracks, embankments, bridges and other railway infrastructure due to landslides, waterlogging and erosion, particularly in the mountainous terrain of Dima Hasao district.
As a result, several Northeastern states, especially Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of southern Assam, frequently face prolonged disruptions in rail connectivity with the rest of the country, causing considerable hardship to commuters and affecting the timely movement of essential commodities and commercial goods.
— IANS
Reader Comments
My cousin was supposed to travel from Silchar to Guwahati for an exam and her train got cancelled. These disruptions affect real people's lives - students, patients needing treatment in bigger hospitals, traders whose goods are stuck. The NFR needs a permanent solution, not just temporary patches every monsoon. The government should prioritize building alternative routes or strengthening this section before the next rainy season.
It's not just about passenger trains - think about the essential supplies! Fuel, food grains, medicines all move through this route. The North East already feels disconnected from mainland India, and when this happens, it makes things worse. I appreciate the railway workers who are working in such difficult conditions though. They deserve recognition for their efforts in trying to restore the tracks despite the continuous rain. 🙏
Having traveled through the Northeast extensively, I can say this is a recurring problem. The geography is challenging - steep slopes, heavy rainfall, and unstable soil. But modern engineering solutions exist. Japan deals with similar terrain and they've built robust mountain railways. India needs to invest in better slope stabilization, drainage systems and perhaps even tunneling through the most vulnerable stretches. Short-term fixes every monsoon is not a sustainable strategy.
My family is from Dima Hasao and this is the reality we live with. Every monsoon, we brace ourselves for weeks of isolation. The railway is not just a convenience, it's how we connect with the outside world. I really hope the restoration work finishes quickly and the authorities seriously consider long-term solutions. Also, why isn't there more coverage of this in national media? The Northeast always gets ignored until something major happens. 💔
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