Assam: Track repairs force NF Railways to reschedule trains and halt freight

Guwahati: The NF Railway is undertaking essential track safety and repair works between Jatinga Lampur and New Haflong stations in Assam, resulting in temporary restrictions on train movement between 6 PM and 6 AM.

To minimize passenger inconvenience, the railway has implemented several measures.

Several trains scheduled for departure between April 29 and May 1 have been cancelled.

Two trains, the Agartala-Anand Vihar Terminal Tejas Express and the Silchar-New Delhi Purvottar Sampark Kranti Express, have been rescheduled for later departures.

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Freight trains, typically heavier than passenger trains, have been temporarily halted to expedite track repairs.

Essential commodities are being transported by road from depots in Azara and Changsari to ensure uninterrupted supply chains, said NFR CPRO Sabyasachi De.

De speaking to NENOW said that there will be no disruption in essential supplies due to the freight train diversions or halting since they are now being moved by road by the concerned parties.

He, however, stressed that since the repair work is being carried out at night, one or maybe two passenger trains may be cancelled but the priority for passenger trains has been kept on top.

Since freight is much heavier than passenger trains, they have been halted and cancelled beyond the affected zones.

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A source, however, said that since the freight line has been cancelled, there might be a shortage in the supply of essential goods in places like Manipur and Tripura.

While it is uncertain how much longer it might take for the trains to be restarted according to their regular schedule, the source said that it might take another week since train repair and maintenance are being carried out manually.

There are several other concerns regarding the train cancellations.

A local who was scheduled to travel to Guwahati from the Silchar railway station said that the train cancellations has been a "headache" for them.

A source further speaking on the movement of freight trains said that if the trains do not start moving soon enough, they might be a shortage of supplies in certain parts of Barak Valley and even Manipur.

However, there is no accurate data on the cancellation of freight trains and the amount of goods stranded or halted.