(Photo Courtesy: NFR)
Maligaon, July 22 (MExN): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced two additional pairs of special trains between Tinsukia-Bhojo and New Tinsukia-Moranhat to assist passengers affected by the suspension of train services following severe flooding in Assam's Sivasagar district.
Train services between the Simaluguri-Namtiali and Simaluguri-Selenghat sections under the Tinsukia Division have been suspended in the interest of passenger safety after floodwaters inundated railway tracks and infrastructure around Simaluguri town.
As a result, several long-distance trains to and from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have been diverted via the Rangiya-Rangapara-Dibrugarh route, while some services have been short-terminated, short-originated or cancelled, the NFR said in a statement.
To facilitate passenger movement, Train No. 05911 (Tinsukia-Bhojo) Special will operate from July 22 to July 26, departing Tinsukia at 12 noon and reaching Bhojo at 2 pm. The return service, Train No. 05912 (Bhojo-New Tinsukia) Special, will leave Bhojo at 3 pm and arrive at New Tinsukia at 4.35 pm on the same day.
Another special service, Train No. 05913 (New Tinsukia-Moranhat), will run during the same period, departing New Tinsukia at 4.45 pm and reaching Moranhat at 7.30 pm. Its return service, Train No. 05914 (Moranhat-Tinsukia), will leave Moranhat at 8 pm and arrive in Tinsukia at 11 pm.
The railway said it had already introduced three pairs of special trains between Lumding-Mariani Junction and Rangiya-Mariani Junction to assist stranded passengers on the affected route.
Meanwhile, restoration work is underway after floodwaters from the overflowing Dikhow River inundated Simaluguri railway station and adjoining areas, affecting the station yard, railway colony and sections of the railway track.
The Tinsukia Division has launched round-the-clock restoration operations under the supervision of senior railway officials to restore normal train services at the earliest.
More than 200 workers, along with railway engineers and supervisors, have been deployed in the Selenghat-Amguri section, where track restoration, infrastructure strengthening and continuous inspections are being carried out.
Railway personnel also made significant progress in restoration work in the Sivasagar Town-Simaluguri section on the previous day despite adverse weather conditions, the statement said.
Senior NFR officials are closely monitoring the restoration efforts, with all departments working in coordination to minimise disruption and restore normal train operations as quickly as possible.
The railway reiterated that passenger safety remains its top priority and thanked passengers for their cooperation during the unprecedented flooding.
