Guwahati: Train operations on the recently commissioned Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram were affected on Wednesday after heavy rainfall triggered waterlogging and the overflow of debris onto sections of the track, railway officials said.
The disruption was reported mainly along the stretch between Kawnpui and Mualkhang, forcing the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to alter and suspend several train services as a safety measure while restoration work was undertaken.
According to railway authorities, efforts were launched immediately to assist stranded passengers. Around 20 buses were deployed at Bairabi to transport travellers to Sairang and Aizawl following the disruption.
Several services were short-terminated on September 30. Trains bound for Sairang from Silchar and Kolkata were halted at Bairabi, while services originating from Sairang towards Kolkata and Guwahati were terminated at Hailakandi in neighbouring Assam.
Railway officials also cancelled the Sairang-Guwahati Express scheduled for September 30 and the Sairang-Silchar Express scheduled for October 1. The Sairang-Kolkata Express of October 1 was rescheduled to commence its journey from Hailakandi instead of Sairang. Passengers affected by the disruption were transported by road.
Officials clarified that inspections had not detected any landslides or subsidence affecting the railway track and expressed confidence that normal train operations would resume shortly.
Meanwhile, persistent rainfall has impacted several parts of Mizoram, including the state capital Aizawl, since Tuesday evening. Landslides and rockfalls were reported from multiple locations, although no casualties had been reported till Wednesday.
Data from the Meteorological Centre in Aizawl showed that Mamit recorded the highest rainfall in the state during the previous 24 hours, followed by Siaha and Tlabung. The weather department has forecast further rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several districts over the next day.
The Bairabi-Sairang railway line, extending 51.38 km and linking the state capital region with the national railway network, was inaugurated last month. The project is regarded as a landmark infrastructure development for Mizoram, significantly improving rail connectivity to the state.
