Badarpur – Lumding: All trains canceled till July 1; NF Rail’s restoration work continues

The restoration works to re-build the railway infrastructure damaged in the flood and landslide-hit Dima Hasao district of Assam has been going in war footing basis.

Lumding-Badarpur rail section, which maneuvers through challenging terrains of NC hills, forms the lifeline of three northeastern states and southernmost Barak Valley of Assam.

The recent flood in Assam and unprecedented landslides in the hill district of Dima Hasao has ravaged the rail section with damages at 60 locations in the 170-km long section.

In many places, due to heavy rain, the soil from the railway tracks got washed away and huge landslides covered the tracks and other railway assets. The New Haflong station has entirely got covered with blanket of mud with depth measuring to 8-9 feet in some places.

According to NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Sabyasachi De, in the hill section under Lumding Division, all trains have been cancelled till July 1st or until the restoration of the railway lines.

Moreover, the centre has sanctioned Rs 180 crore for the task of restoration of the railway line. “We have started the restoration works and it will be costing around Rs 180 crore. We are targeting to complete the restoration soon,” CPRO said.

“Out of these 60 locations, we have already restored 11 sites and works are undergoing for the remaining areas. And out of the remaining 49 locations as well, 10-11 locations have some critical areas where restoration is going on in full swing,” he added.

Sources added, earthmovers and all required machineries have been mobilised to the damaged locations from both end i.e Badarpur and Lumding. Senior railway officials and construction engineers are also camping at the locations and overseeing the work round the clock.

In the meantime, N. F. Railway has also refunded the ticket fares to the affected passengers. Refund amounting to more than Rs 13.5 lacs has already been made for 1678 passengers till now. Remaining affected passengers can claim their refunds on IRCTC website (for e-tickets) and at PRS counters of the concerned stations (for window tickets).