Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has restored the railway tracks damaged by recent floods in the Simaluguri and adjoining areas of Assam’s Sivasagar district under the Tinsukia Division, paving the way for the gradual resumption of train operations.
NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava visited the affected stretch to inspect the repaired tracks, bridges and other railway infrastructure before services were reinstated.
During the inspection, railway officials found that several flood-affected residents, including children, were taking shelter on or near the railway tracks with their belongings and livestock after being displaced by the floods.
Keeping public safety and humanitarian concerns in mind, the railway has decided to initially operate only diesel locomotive-hauled trains on the restored section. The temporary arrangement is intended to eliminate the risk of electrocution from overhead electric lines until floodwaters recede and displaced families return home.
Several local trains will now operate via Moranhat. These include Train No. 15669 Guwahati-Dibrugarh Nagaland Express, Train No. 15603/15604 Guwahati-Ledo-Guwahati Intercity Express, Train No. 15967/15968 Rangiya-Ledo-Rangiya Intercity Express, Train No. 75601/75602 Lumding-Tinsukia-Lumding DEMU, and Train No. 55914 Tinsukia-Jorhat Town Passenger.
Long-distance trains will continue to use the diverted route via North Lakhimpur-Rangapara North-Rangiya until normal operations can be fully restored. NFR said special trains are also being operated during the disruption to maintain rail connectivity between Upper Assam and other parts of the region.
The railway administration said a decision on restoring electric train operations will be taken after the flood situation improves and displaced residents are able to vacate the railway tracks and return to their homes.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on X that the flood-affected railway section between Selenghat-Amguri-Simaluguri-Sivasagar Town was restored and made operational at 4 pm.
“With this, direct train services between Guwahati and Dibrugarh via Lumding and Sivasagar can now resume,” Sarma said.
He also thanked Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Northeast Frontier Railway team for their efforts in restoring the crucial rail link connecting Upper Assam with the rest of the country.