Train services connecting Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, and southern Assam to the rest of India have been suspended due to a landslide in the New Haflong-Jatinga section. Triggered by NHAI roadwork, the landslide has severely impacted the Lumding–Badarpur railway line, affecting thousands of passengers and isolating parts of Northeast India.
Train services connecting several northeastern states—Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, and southern Assam—with the rest of India have been severely disrupted since Monday evening due to a massive landslide that impacted the New Haflong-Jatinga Lampur section of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The disruption has led to cancellation, short termination, and rescheduling of several trains, causing significant hardship for thousands of passengers.
According to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the NFR, the landslide was triggered by ongoing road repair work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). “Boulders along with landmass fell over the railway track in the New Haflong-Jatinga Lampur section, which compelled us to suspend train services in the Lumding–Badarpur hill section from Monday evening in order to ensure passenger safety,” Sharma said.
To address the inconvenience caused by train cancellations on the Lumding-Badarpur hill section & to provide timely information to affected train passengers, Public Assistance Booths have been opened at Guwahati, Agartala, Silchar & Lumding stations pic.twitter.com/AVxCpsrJGZ
— Northeast Frontier Railway (@RailNf) June 23, 2025
Unsafe Terrain Due to NHAI Construction
The CPRO explained that the root cause of the landslide was the improper execution of road repairs by NHAI. “It was learnt that road repairing works were ongoing in that area, and the slope on the downstream side between the road and rail line bulged out. This caused the landmass to shift, moving towards the railway track,” Sharma stated. Additionally, rainwater from the road above is also flowing directly onto the track, further worsening the condition.
Given the gravity of the situation, railway authorities have declared the affected area as critically unsafe. Consequently, train movement between Lumding, New Haflong, and Badarpur has been suspended indefinitely. Nine train services have been either cancelled, short terminated, or rescheduled due to the disrupted railway line.
Appeal for Urgent Remedial Measures
The NFR’s Lumding Division has taken up the matter with NHAI and urged the agency to initiate protective measures on an emergency basis. The railway has specifically requested that NHAI deploy adequate manpower and heavy machinery to stabilize the slope and prevent further erosion that could damage the crucial railway link connecting the remote northeastern states.
In the meantime, the NFR has mobilized its own workforce to begin debris clearance and preliminary repairs to restore partial functionality as soon as it is safe. However, officials noted that full restoration may take time, depending on the weather and how quickly NHAI can stabilize the vulnerable section.
Annual Monsoon Disruptions: A Recurring Crisis
Landslides during the monsoon season have long been a recurring challenge for the Northeast region. States like Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of Assam’s Barak Valley frequently remain cut off for extended periods due to heavy rainfall, which leads to landslides, waterlogging, and extensive damage to rail and road infrastructure.
Each year, these disruptions not only isolate these states but also affect the supply chain, access to essential goods, and the movement of people. The latest incident has once again exposed the fragile state of transport infrastructure in the region and the urgent need for better disaster-resilient planning and construction practices.
The Way Forward
The present crisis has prompted renewed calls for coordination between infrastructure agencies such as NHAI and Indian Railways to ensure that construction activities near sensitive zones are carried out with utmost precaution. Experts suggest that joint assessments and impact studies should be mandatory before initiating construction near critical transportation corridors.
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For now, residents and passengers in the affected states must brace for continued delays and cancellations. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working round-the-clock to restore services. However, unless long-term structural and environmental safeguards are implemented, such disruptions may continue to plague the region year after year.
