Disrupted rail connectivity in four NE states to resume soon

GUWAHATI, July 13 (IANS): The rail connectivity that got disrupted due to rainfall and landslides in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur will resume soon, an official said on Tuesday, adding the restoration work has been completed.
Due to multiple landslides triggered by pre-monsoon heavy showers in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and southern Assam were cut off from rail connectivity since May.
Though the North-East Frontier Railways (NFR) had immediately started the restoration process on this route, heavy rainfall in the hilly Dima Hasao district was acting as a barrier.
On Tuesday, Sabyasachi De, chief public relations officer of NFR said that despite the inclement weather in the hills for the last two months, the Railways has successfully completed the restoration work.
“Trial engine runs were conducted successfully on all the affected locations. Full-fledged rail connectivity will soon resume on the Lumding-Badarpur route. NFR has put all its efforts in restoring the damaged line and restarting the train services,” De said.
He claimed that the restoration works taken up by NFR is the fastest ever in Indian Railways while dealing with such huge natural calamities.
The Railway ministry had earlier sanctioned Rs 180 crore for the restoration of the snapped railway lines in Dima Hasao district.
De said the NFR has completed the restoration work on a war footing, by mobilising men, materials and machinery led by the Railway’s skilled team of engineers, officers, and staff.
The technical team which had been deployed for quick restoration of this section was well versed with the terrain and worked 24×7.
In the second week of May, due to torrential rainfall and massive landslides, around 85 km of railway track in the Lumding -Badarpur route was badly affected.
Breaches had occurred at more than 61 locations in this section, resulting in disruption of rail communication to the states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of Assam.