Aizawl: Rail services between Assam and Mizoram were hit on Thursday night after heavy rain caused extensive soil erosion along the Katakhal-Bairabi section under Hailakandi district. The Northeast Frontier Railway confirmed that around 70 metres of railway track, extending up to 40 metres from the centre line near the Jamira-Bairabi stretch, has been eroded and rendered unsafe for operations.
Following the damage, NFR decided to short-originate two important trains on Friday. Train No. 15610 Sairang-Guwahati Express and Train No. 20507 Sairang-Anand Vihar Terminal Express, which were scheduled to depart from Sairang, instead started from Hailakandi. Services of both trains between Sairang and Hailakandi remained cancelled.
The railway zone said the erosion occurred on the evening of September 3 after continuous heavy rainfall. There is no direct road access to the affected spot, which has made restoration work difficult. Officials have been sent to the site to assess the damage and restoration work has already started, but NFR said it may take time due to site conditions.
Due to the disruption, several other services were cancelled on September 4. These include Train No. 15609 Guwahati-Sairang Express, Train No. 55667 Silchar-Bairabi Express and Train No. 13126 Sairang-Kolkata Express. Train No. 55668 Bairabi-Silchar Express and Train No. 55669 Silchar-Sairang Express have been cancelled for September 4 and 5, while Train No. 55670 Sairang-Silchar Express for September 5 has also been cancelled.
The disruption has caused hardship to passengers and small traders who depend on this sole rail link. NFR arranged alternative buses on Thursday night for stranded passengers, especially women and children, to help them reach their destinations. Traders from Mizoram who regularly travel to Hailakandi to buy essential commodities have also been affected.
Local reports said soil beneath the track gave way at two locations in southern Hailakandi. Erosion was first noticed at Choraibak near the Mizoram border on Thursday night and another incident was reported at Killarbak near Jamira on Friday morning, where cracks were also seen on the track.
Members of the Bairabi-Guwahati Train Demand Committee have demanded a permanent solution to recurring erosion along this section. Convenor Sushil Paul urged railway authorities to carry out protection and restoration works under experienced engineers to prevent frequent disruptions on the strategic Assam-Mizoram corridor.
NFR said passengers should check train running status before travelling and restoration updates will be shared once track safety is ensured.
