GUWAHATI, Aug 19: NF Railway says that if everything goes as expected it can restore rail connectivity by August 28, 2017.
It has borne the brunt of flood fury and many locations in its network still remain breached in Kishanganj, Katihar and Araria district of Bihar. However, restoration work is going on in war footing in all locations, a press release said.
As per engineering estimate total connectivity cannot be restored before August 28, 2017. However, to alleviate the problems of passengers wanting to leave from the Northeast or come in, and for the movement of goods, the following steps have been taken with immediate effect.
Kishanganj station has been made available for loading of goods / essential commodities. Merchants can now place indents for placement of rakes at Kishanganj. These rakes will be able to carry goods to all parts North Bengal, Assam and rest of Northeast.
A direct train service has been started between Dalkhola and Dibrugarh which is in addition to the presently running daily special trains from Dalkhola – Guwahati and Guwahati - Dibrugarh. At the same time Raiganj (on Barsoi – Radhikapur section) which got connected to Katihar and Malda after restoration of bridge No. 3 today, will now have daily service available to Malda Town and Katihar. Direct train service from Katihar to Raiganj will be started by extending running of Seemanchal Express from Katihar with effect from August 19. As the track between Dalkhola and Raiganj continues to remain breached (till bridge No 133 is restored) passengers can avail bus service between these two stations which are located at close vicinity of four-lane tiol Highway.
Thus effectively, passenger from Northeast will be able to travel in or out of NE region and north Bengal by availing bus connectivity between Dalkhola and Raiganj. Trains connectivity is available in both these stations for further journey to desired destitions.
