GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced partial restoration of train services in the Simaluguri area of Tinsukia division after recent floods damaged railway tracks in the region, though several long-distance trains will continue to run on diverted routes.
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According to the railway, tracks affected by flooding at Simaluguri and adjoining areas have been repaired. Some local trains will now operate via the Dibrugarh-Moranhat-Simaluguri section using diesel locomotives, while long-distance trains will keep running on the alternate route via Dibrugarh-North Lakhimpur-Rangapara North-Rangiya.
Officials said diesel locomotives are being deployed instead of electric ones to reduce the risk of electrocution and protect flood-affected people who have taken shelter near the tracks. The railway said a decision on full restoration of services and resumption of electric train operations will be taken once conditions in the area normalise.
Trains Diverted
Effective August 13, the 12423 Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, 20503 Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, 15909 Dibrugarh-Lalgarh Avadh Assam Express and 22504 Dibrugarh-Kanniyakumari Vivek Express will run on diverted routes via North Lakhimpur, Rangapara North and Rangiya, with the Rajdhani and Vivek Express services further routed through Guwahati and New Bongaigaon.
Trains already diverted on earlier dates include the 15959 Howrah-Dibrugarh Express (August 12), 22503 Kanniyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express (August 10), 12424 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (August 12), 15910 Lalgarh-Dibrugarh Avadh Assam Express (August 10), 20504 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (August 12), and 22501 SMVT Bengaluru-New Tinsukia SF Express (August 11), all rerouted via combinations of Rangiya, Rangapara North and North Lakhimpur.
Trains Cancelled
The 55913 Jorhat Town-Tinsukia Passenger and 55909 Simaluguri-Dibrugarh Passenger services stand cancelled for August 13.
The NFR has regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and said updates will be issued as the situation develops.