GUWAHATI:
Torrential rain during the last few days has resulted in floods and landslides in Dima Hasao, causing heavy damage to rail and road connectivity, which has in turn affected train services that are involved in transporting goods to Tripura and other states.
Landslides in more than 53 locations spreading all over the Lumding–Badarpur hill section has completely disrupted the rail communication of the hilly states such as Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and South Assam with the rest of the country since May 15.
Speaking to The Meghalayan, Assam Hill Areas Development Minister Jogen Mohan said that it was important for the department to avoid any kind of crisis and ensure that supply continues in the route where train services have been affected.
“Till now we have sufficient stock of food grains and other essential commodities. Our top priority is to clear the roads for traffic movement. If road connectivity is restored and the movement of vehicles starts, then there will be no crisis,” the minister said.
The inclement weather has also forced the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and the state government to suspend train services till May 24, in addition to closing down schools, and educational institutions in the area.
Earlier on May 16, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the NFR rescued nearly 2,400 stranded railway passengers under challenging circumstances overcoming all odds from New Haflong and Ditokcherra, however, bad weather continues to pose hurdles for restoration work in the area.
Taking all precautionary measures, the government of Assam has involved all resources in clearing the roads and retorting transportation services at the earliest so that supplies are not affected, though weather conditions still seem grave in the hilly section.
The minister further said that with the joint effort of the district administration National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDC), the army, the NDRF and SDRF have been engaged in clearing the debris and are also put on alert if the downpour continues in the days to come.
As per the directions from the district authorities on May 16, the road from Haflong town to Jatinga, where major damage took place in Mahur, Maibang and Langting, has been closed. The road connecting Harangajao-Silchar is also in dilapidated condition, and the one from Haflong town to Lower Haflong leading to Dehangi, Diyungbra-Lanka has also been closed.
Tripura could witness fuel, essential commodity crisis
Tripura could end up facing a fuel and essential commodity crisis due to the landslides and waterlogging caused by the incessant rainfall in Assam which has resulted in damage to railway tracks and parts of national highway which connects the two states.
Taking precaution, the food and civil supply department of Tripura put a cap on purchase of petrol and diesel for two, three and four wheelers on May 17.
“In view of the disruption of the railway line near Badarpur and road traffic movement in NH-44, the supply of petroleum, oil, and lubricant products in the state are getting badly affected. As such, it has been decided to impose the following restriction on sale of motor spirit (MS) in the state by the R/Os of JOCL/HPCL/BPCL in the State from May 17,” an order read.
The order further read that people using two wheelers can purchase petrol upto Rs 200, while for three-wheeler Rs 300 per vehicle and Rs 1000 for four wheelers.
While speaking to The Meghalayan, the secretary of food and civil supply department said so far Tripura has no shortage of essential commodities however the effect may take place after 5 to 6 days. He also revealed that a backup plan is being prepared to import all the essential products through Assam via the national highway.
“The way some parts of Assam have been affected due to landslides and waterlogging; it is going to affect our state as well. The railway tracks have been washed out. Most of the time we import petroleum products and other essential commodities through railways, but it would not be possible now. We are trying to bring all essential commodities and petroleum products with the help of trucks through the national highway,” he said.
The official also said that they held a meeting with officials of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Oil India in this regard.
“We have already taken up the matter with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Oil India. They are also trying to export their products through trucks as it will take more than two months for restoration of the railway tracks. We have already taken up the matter to bring the rice and petrol,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has suspended rail services to Tripura, South Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram in the aftermath of major landslides between Maibong and Bandarkhal in Assam until May 25.