From a Correspondent
Haflong, June 30: BG Rail Service between Guwahati and Silchar was started in November, 2015. However, because of unprecedented rainfall, Lumding-Badarpur hill section experienced landslides and sinking of track. This led to disruption of rail connection between Lunding to Badarpur at various places since April, 2016.
While most of the damaged spots have been restored, the section from Mahur to New Haflong is posing a serious challenge where substantial work is to be done due to very adverse geographical conditions, stated a press release issued by CPRO, NF Railway Maligaon on Thursday.
Till the restoration of this part and resumption of regular train services, the NF Railway has got in touch with the administration for ‘road bridging’ of the disturbed section, which means that passengers will avail road transport facility between Mahur and New Haflong and continue their journey beyond by suitably timed trains.
A special train is proposed to run from Guwahati to Mahur (no. 05621 / 05622) by which passengers can travel up to Mahur, then board a bus from Mahur to New Haflong and from New Haflong catch the special train to Silchar. Similarly, they can avail the special train running between Silchar to New Haflong (no. 05615 / 05616) to travel up to New Haflong, take a bus from New Haflong to Mahur and board the special train to Guwahati. Both these special trains will have eight general / sleeper class coaches and will be able to accommodate about 800 passengers.
For this, the NF Railway has requested the State Government to provide adequate bus services between Mahur and New Haflong for which passengers will buy tickets and pay separately.
General Mager, N.F. Railway has already spoken to the Chief Secretary, Assam and correspondence has been made to Secretary, Transport, so that adequate bus service is made available between Mahur and New Haflong to facilitate smooth movement of passengers.
Talking to this correspondent, Prav Jyoti Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, said over telephone, “This is only a stop gap arrangement till full passenger service resumes between Guwahati to Silchar, which is expected to take another 15 days time.”