Assam: Freight Train Derailment Halts Lumding-Silchar Railway Line Indefinitely
Guwahati, 26th April: Derailment of a freight train along the Lumding-Silchar railway line has led to the indefinite closure of the route, disrupting passenger travel and causing panic among commuters between last night and today morning.
The incident occurred in a 110 km stretch between Harengajao and Jatinga Lampur stations, attributed to heavy rains over the past two days, resulting in the engine of a freight train bound for Badarpur derailing.
Passengers stranded at Lumding station are grappling with challenges, as ticket prices for private buses have skyrocketed to Rs 1400 from the usual Rs 300.
In response to the derailment, the North Eastern Frontier Railway (NFR) has cancelled several passenger trains, aggravating the situation for commuters, especially those en route to Silchar.
The closure of the railway line has also affected thousands of voters who had traveled from places like Bangalore and Kolkata to Badarpur Silchar for the second phase of elections. Allegations have surfaced regarding the railway department’s sluggish response in assisting stranded passengers, with some accusing railway police of resorting to lathi charge during protests.
Amidst the chaos, uncertainty shrouds the resumption of train services, with the NFR unable to provide any definitive dates. The derailment underscores the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions and underscores the imperative for enhanced infrastructure and contingency measures to ensure the safety and convenience of railway passengers in the region.
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