GUWAHATI:
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) resumed freight train services in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, which had been affected due to the heavy rain and landslides, on July 12 after a prolonged gap of almost two months.
“The first freight train carrying sugar left last night for Jirania station (near Agartala) from Daotuhaja station. Another freight train, loaded with steel coils left from Manderdisa for Bhairabi station (in Mizoram). Several more freight trains carrying commodities like stone chips, rice, etc., will also be operated in this section to fulfil the supply gap,” NFR spokesperson Sabyasachi De said.
“NF Railway is also making arrangements to bring back the empty freight rakes that were stuck in different sections of the devastated hill section for the last two months. This will help in the operation of more trains,” he said.
All passenger and freight trains had been suspended in this hill section from May 11 after flash floods and landslides damaged railway track in more than 60 locations of the Lumding-Badarpur BG (broad-gauge) line.
Both the railways and roadways in the Dima Hasao district had suffered damages due to the incessant rain, which as a result, cut off the entire hill section from the rest of the country and there was no rail connectivity for the last two months.
Railways being the bulk transporter of essential items including POL products for states like Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and the entire Barak Valley areas of Assam; immediate filling up of shortages of essential and construction commodities are essential.
“Considering all these aspects, NF Railway has started running of freight carrying train with essential and non – essential commodities to make-good the shortage of day to day commodities for the people of affected areas. NF Railway is all set to resume the passenger train services as early as possible during the current month itself,” he added.