Guwahati, August 7: More than two weeks after heavy monsoon rains damaged the Lumding–Badarpur Hill railway section, rail services connecting Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur with the rest of India continue to remain affected. Railway authorities are carrying out large-scale restoration work, but persistent rainfall has delayed the reopening of the crucial route.
The disruption began after continuous rainfall triggered ground subsidence near New Harangajao railway station in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The sinking of the earth damaged two of the three railway lines across an approximately 300-metre stretch, forcing the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to restrict train movement through the affected section.
Engineering teams, railway personnel and heavy machinery have been deployed to restore the damaged tracks. However, challenging terrain and recurring rain have slowed the repair process, preventing officials from announcing a timeline for the complete restoration of normal services.
To maintain connectivity, train operations are currently being managed through the only functional railway line under enhanced safety protocols. Passenger trains are not being allowed to pass through the affected section between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am, while daytime services continue under strict speed restrictions and continuous monitoring.
The disruption has resulted in multiple changes to train schedules across the region. The Guwahati–Silchar Express was cancelled on August 6 and August 8, while several other trains serving southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur have been either rescheduled, regulated or partially cancelled.
The Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section is the only railway corridor connecting Barak Valley and the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur with the national railway network. As a result, the ongoing disruption has affected thousands of passengers and the movement of essential goods across the region.
NFR officials said restoration work is continuing on a priority basis, and full train operations will resume only after the damaged tracks are repaired and certified safe for regular traffic.
