Guwahati: The treacherous Lumding–Badarpur hill line has once more succumbed to nature’s fury, with a fresh landslide late Sunday night bringing rail connectivity to a grinding halt. The incident, near the 50/2 km stretch between Dihakho and Mupa stations in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, is the latest in a series of disruptions plaguing the vulnerable hill slopes since June 23.
This recurring nightmare for the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) began on June 23, when a massive slide between Jatinga Lampur and New Haflong (108/7-8 km) forced a seven-day suspension of services. Despite NFR’s herculean efforts to restore operations by June 30, another landslide on July 3, eerily close to the same Mupa section (50/2 km), once again snapped the lifeline. Train services had only just tentatively resumed on Friday, highlighting the immense challenges posed by the persistent heavy rainfall in Dima Hasao, which has rendered the terrain perilously unstable. NFR engineers are fighting a relentless battle against the elements, with the hilly topography and incessant rains making restoration work exceptionally arduous.
The ripple effect of the disruption is evident across the network, with several key trains stranded. The Kanchanjunga Express (Sealdah to Sabroom) is currently halted at Lumding Station, while the Guwahati–Silchar Express remains stopped at Manderdisa. The Agartala–Rani Kamalavati Express is stranded at Maibang, and the Silchar–Rangiya Express is stuck at New Haflong. Understanding the plight of the stranded passengers, NFR authorities have promptly arranged for food and essential amenities onboard.
In a proactive move, the Northeast Frontier Railway has set up help desks at vital stations including Kamakhya, Guwahati, Lumding, New Haflong, Badarpur, Silchar, and Agartala. These desks are diligently providing crucial information, food, and emergency support to assist bewildered travellers. Officials have reiterated that restoration work remains their utmost priority, with an unwavering focus on ensuring the safety of both passengers and the critical rail infrastructure.