Train services suspended in Assam's hill section due to landslide

Running of trains has been affected in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section of Assam following landslides triggered by incessant rains for past few days.

Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), P.J. Sharma said at least four trains have been suspended due to the landslides, which have occurred in at least five locations in the hill section -- between Dautohaja and Phiding, Phiding station yard, between Phiding and Mahur, between Jatingalampur and New Harangajao and between two tunnels on the stretch.

"The landslides occurred between 1.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m.," Sharma said.

As a result, the Guwahati-Silchar Fast passenger is controlled at Lumding, followed by Sealdah-Silchar Kanchanjungha Express to be controlled at Lumding.

"Silchar-Guwahati Fast passenger has been cancelled on date. Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express to be controlled in Badarpur," he said adding there is, however, no passenger train stranded within the affected section.

"Although the extent of damage is yet to be fully ascertained, restoration work has already started in all affected locations," the NFR CPRO said.

The Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding is already at the site monitoring the situation, Sharma said adding work is on to restart the train services as early as possible.

--IANS

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