Train services across Northeast India remain disrupted due to severe landslides in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. Restoration efforts by Northeast Frontier Railway are in full swing with massive earth removal, slope stabilization, and drainage work ongoing to reconnect key routes linking Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, and South Assam with the rest of India.
Train services across parts of Northeast India continue to face major disruptions following severe landslides in the Lumding–Badarpur Hill Section under Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched extensive restoration efforts to bring normalcy back to the region’s railway network, which has been affected since June 23.
The impacted section serves as a vital lifeline connecting South Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram with the rest of India via Guwahati. As per officials, the disruption was triggered by multiple earth slips due to intense and persistent rainfall in the hilly terrain. The situation has left several northeastern states virtually cut off, underscoring the vulnerability of the region’s railway infrastructure during the monsoon season.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NFR, confirmed that the landslides had severely impacted various stretches of the Lumding–Badarpur section. “Multiple instances of earth slips have compromised the railway tracks, necessitating large-scale restoration work,” he said.
In a strong display of commitment to restoring services, NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava personally visited the site to review the progress. He assessed the ground situation, encouraged the teams, and instructed that all available manpower and machinery be mobilised to speed up the restoration.
Massive Earth Removal and Slope Stabilisation in Progress
The scale of the damage and response has been considerable. According to Sharma, approximately 20,000 cubic meters of slipped earth from the hillside are being cleared to enable track restoration. Of this, 14,100 cubic meters have already been removed. From the track area itself, a target of 3,000 cubic meters was set, with 2,850 cubic meters already cleared.
Additionally, over 1,27,000 cubic meters of slipped earth have been removed from the vulnerable hill slopes nearby. These efforts are crucial for stabilising the terrain and ensuring the safety of ongoing and future train operations.
To mitigate further risks and strengthen the site, NFR has initiated a series of slope stabilisation and drainage improvement measures. Around 600 running meters of new kutcha drains are being constructed, while 400 meters of existing hillside drains are being cleaned to prevent water accumulation. Jungle cutting has been completed across a 12,000-square-meter area, and 1,200 square meters of hill slope have been protected using non-woven geo-textile material.
Relentless Efforts in Challenging Terrain
Despite the difficult and rugged terrain, teams of workers and heavy machinery are operating around the clock. The presence of senior leadership, especially General Manager Shrivastava, has significantly boosted the morale of field personnel, who continue to brave the harsh conditions with determination.
Sharma stated that while logistical challenges persist, safety remains the top priority. Certain trains have been cancelled or partially cancelled until the restoration work is complete, to ensure passenger safety.
“This hill section is not just a route; it’s a critical artery that connects millions of people in the Northeast to the rest of India,” Sharma added. “Restoration is being undertaken on a war footing.”
Monsoon Woes Continue for Northeast India
Every year during the monsoon season, northeastern states such as Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and South Assam face similar challenges. Landslides, flooding, and rail infrastructure damage routinely result in prolonged isolation from mainland India, disrupting the lives and livelihoods of thousands.
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The ongoing situation is a grim reminder of the need for long-term solutions, including climate-resilient infrastructure, better drainage systems, and preemptive landslide mitigation strategies across the vulnerable hill sections.
Until the restoration is complete, NFR has urged passengers to stay updated on train schedules and travel advisories through official channels.
