HAFLONG, July 1 - Broadgauge railway service between Guwahati and Silchar was started in November 2015. However, due to unprecedented rainfall, Lumding-Badarpur Hill section experienced heavy rain-induced landslides and sinkage of track. This led to disruption of rail connection between Lumding to Badarpur at various places since April 2016.
While most of the damaged portions have been restored, the section from Mahur to New Haflong is posing a serious challenge, where substantial work has to be done due to adverse geographical conditions, stated a press release issued by the CPRO of NF Railway, Maligaon on Thusday.
Till the restoration of this part and resumption of regular train services take place, NF Railway has got in touch with the State administration for �road bridging� of the disturbed section, i.e. passengers will avail road transport facility between Mahur and New Haflong and continue their journey beyond by suitably timed trains.
A special train is proposed to be run from Guwahati to Mahur (No. 05621/05622) by which passengers can travel upto Mahur, then board a bus from Mahur to New Haflong and from New Haflong catch the special train to Silchar.
Similarly, they can avail the special train running between Silchar to New Haflong (No. 05615/05616) to travel upto New Haflong, take a bus from New Haflong to Mahur and board the special train to Guwahati. Both these special trains will have eight general/sleeper class coaches and will be able to accommodate about 800 passengers.
For this, the NF Railway has requested the State Government to provide adequate bus services between Mahur and New Haflong, for which the passengers will be required to purchase tickets and pay separately.
The General Manager of NF Railway has already spoken to the Chief Secretary of Assam and correspondence has been made to the Secretary, Transport, so that adequate bus service is made available between Mahur and New Haflong to facilitate smooth movement of passengers.
Between Mahur and New Haflong, passengers can avail bus services to be provided by State Government by paying the requisite fare.
Talking to this correspondent, Pranav Jyoti Sharma,Chief Public Relations Officer said telephonically: �This is only a stop-gap arrangement until full passenger service resumes between Guwahati to Silchar, which is expected to take another 15 days time�.
