Train services in Assam’s Dima Hasao district have ground to a halt following a significant landslide near Mupa station on the Lumding–Badarpur hill section. The landslide, which occurred at approximately 14:45 on July 3, resulted in approximately 30 large boulders and about 100 cubic meters of earth tumbling onto the railway tracks between kilometers 51/2–3 DKE–MPP. To make matters worse, smaller rocks continue to roll down the hill, creating an ongoing risk for the area.
The Silchar–Guwahati Express (Train No. 15616) was halted by a watchman on duty, prompting the train’s operator to engage the emergency brakes and reverse the train back to Mupa for safety. In response to the debris, heavy machinery, including a JCB and two excavators, has been deployed for the cleanup process. The excavators are currently clearing debris at kilometers 53/2–3, while the JCB is being transported along the tracks and will be loaded onto a Bank of India flatbed railcar at Mupa before reaching the site.
The obstruction has led to several trains being delayed on their route to Guwahati, including the Silchar–Guwahati Express, which returned to Mupa by 15:18 and is currently under control, the Kanchanjunga Express, which arrived at MXR at 16:05 also under control, and the Agartala–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, arriving at New Haflong at 16:00 and currently controlled. Additionally, the Dharmanagar–Guwahati Express left Dullabcherra at 15:37 and is expected to be held at NHGJ. The Agartala–Firozpur Express reached Jatinga Lampur at 15:45 for a crossing and is likely to be controlled as well.
Railway officials have announced that train operations will only resume after the complete removal of all landslide debris from the tracks. Efforts are currently underway to restore normal train services as quickly as possible. This incident follows a previous suspension of rail services along the essential Lumding-Badarpur hill section on June 23 due to landslides affecting the tracks between New Haflong and Jatinga Lampur.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/landslide-strands-multiple-trains-in-assams-dima-hasao-restoration-work-underway-1583429
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-07-03 18:20:00
