SILCHAR, April 19 - After a prolonged wait for nearly 20 years, the broad-gauge passenger train services from Barak Valley began on November 21, 2015. There was much joy among the people disgusted with the pathetic roads connecting the valley with the state capital. But together with the taste of success, there were doubts whether the trains will run during the monsoon season.
Back then, the Railway officials assured the people of the valley that there is no reason why the trains should not run during the rainy season. But the order which was issued from the office of the Chief Engineer, Bridges, NF Railways, Maligaon on Tuesday, clearly syncs with the simmering apprehensions about the possible disconnect.
According to the order, all passenger trains from Barak Valley are to be kept suspended since there are complications at the diversion route between Ditechchora to New Haflong which covers a distance of 98-127 kilometres. The order further said that there are complaints detected on the track alignments along with a few of the tunnels and also some of the bridges on the way. Hence, the railways are not ready to shoulder any risk. Biplab Das, the station superintendent of Silchar Railway station said, �The order has been issued to suspend the passenger trains. However, the goods trains are allowed to ply at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour only during the day time.�
Das was quick to add that they have not received any message from the Operating department as yet which is why they cannot go ahead with the decision to suspend the trains.
