Railway services in Northeast India remain suspended due to major landslides in the Lumding–Badarpur hill section, affecting connectivity to Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram. Northeast Frontier Railway has deployed special trains and initiated restoration work to assist stranded passengers, with help desks active across key stations for passenger support.
Rail connectivity between Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, and the rest of India remains severely disrupted following multiple landslides in the Lumding–Badarpur hill section of Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has confirmed that landslide clearance and track restoration work is currently underway, but full train services are yet to resume.
The latest disruption, which began on June 23, marks the third major rail blockade of the season in this mountainous section. Massive landslides, caused by incessant rainfall, led to mud and boulders sliding onto the railway track between Mupa and Dihakho stations, forcing the suspension of operations on this critical single-line route.
Speaking to the media, NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that restoration efforts are being executed on a war footing. Senior engineers and railway officials are actively supervising the situation, and adequate machinery and manpower have been mobilised for early restoration.
“In order to address the urgent needs of stranded passengers, the NFR has introduced two special one-way trains—Silchar to Guwahati and Guwahati to Agartala,” Sharma informed. These trains are being operated temporarily to manage the heavy rush and ensure stranded passengers can return home or continue with their journeys.
While these special trains have brought some relief, Sharma clarified that no timeline has yet been confirmed for the complete resumption of regular train services in the region.
The Lumding–Badarpur hill section is a strategic railway corridor connecting the Barak Valley of southern Assam and neighboring states like Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur to the rest of India. Due to its geographical location and terrain, the section is prone to natural disruptions, especially during the monsoon months between June and September.
To assist passengers affected by the sudden suspension, the NFR has set up help desks at key stations, including Guwahati, Lumding, Silchar, Badarpur, and Agartala. These desks are providing timely information, travel updates, and coordination support to help passengers navigate the ongoing challenges.
Since June 23, connectivity has been impacted repeatedly due to the volatile monsoon weather. Earlier, services had resumed temporarily on June 30, only to be disrupted again by fresh landslides. The railways managed to restore movement once more on July 4, but stability remains elusive as the region continues to experience heavy rainfall and subsequent land movement.
The Dima Hasao district, being a hilly terrain with fragile soil conditions, is especially susceptible to landslides during monsoons. Each year, the rail link between Assam and the rest of Northeast India remains vulnerable, causing weeks of disconnection that affect the transportation of passengers as well as essential goods.
This repeated isolation of Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur from the national network has led to widespread concern among residents, businesses, and administrative authorities. People in the affected states often face severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies when railway links are down.
Sharma said that all necessary steps are being taken to expedite the restoration process and minimize inconvenience. However, he emphasized that safety remains the top priority. “Until all debris is cleared and the tracks are certified safe by engineers, regular train services will remain suspended,” he added.
Meanwhile, weather forecasts indicate continued rainfall across Assam and adjoining states, further complicating restoration efforts. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will issue updates as soon as conditions permit full service resumption.
| Also Read: Landslides again disrupt Train services in Northeast, restoration underway |
The monsoon-linked vulnerability of the region underscores the need for long-term infrastructural investment, including landslide-prevention mechanisms, improved drainage, and alternate transport corridors to avoid frequent isolation of the Northeast from mainland India.
