Guwahati, 26th April: Hundreds of passengers, including many intending to cast their votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, found themselves stranded in Assam on Friday following the cancellation of six trains due to a derailment incident.
The Northeast Frontier Railway confirmed that a goods train engine had derailed between the Jatinga Lampur and New Harangajao stations in Assam’s Lumding division, causing disruptions in train services. This disrupted the voting plans of many individuals, especially in the constituencies of Diphu, Nagaon, Silchar, Karimganj, and Darrang-Udalguri.
Among the affected were numerous Muslim migrant workers who couldn’t reach Karimganj to vote. Seven trains were terminated before reaching their destinations, while three had their schedules rearranged.
Passengers shared their frustration, describing chaotic scenes reminiscent of rush hours during lockdowns. Concerns were raised about infrastructure development on the Lumding to Badarpur Railway route.
Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northeastern Frontier Railway, confirmed the cancellations but didn’t disclose the number of affected passengers. Repair work was delayed due to rain and labor shortages amid the elections.
Politicians, including Karimganj’s Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, vowed to address the matter with the Election Commission. Efforts were made to assist stranded passengers, with buses dispatched from Guwahati to transport them.
As of Friday noon, approximately 300 people remained stranded at Lumding railway station, highlighting the challenges faced by passengers amid the disruptions.