Rail connectivity between North and South Bengal moved closer to normalcy on Saturday as repair work on the damaged railway track near New Farakka was completed, and a trial run began.
Railway workers completed the repair work on a war-footing basis and appeared relieved as the trial run commenced. They raised slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as the train moved along the repaired section.
Railway authorities are hopeful that train services through the affected section could resume from Saturday evening, provided there is no further deterioration in the situation.
Landslide disrupts Bengal rail connectivity
Train services have been severely affected after repeated landslides near New Farakka in Murshidabad. Several trains connecting North Bengal with Howrah and Kolkata have been cancelled, while many others are being diverted through alternative routes.
The railway authorities have been working continuously to restore the damaged section. However, repeated landslides at nearly the same location have made the repair work challenging, as the soil has become increasingly loose.
Railway engineers have been using sandbags and stone chips to strengthen the affected section.
Several major trains cancelled Saturday
Several important southbound trains were cancelled on Saturday, including the Padatik Express, Kanchankanya Express and Darjeeling Mail.
Other cancelled services include the Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express, Alipurduar-Sealdah Kanchankanya Express, Bamanhat-Sealdah Uttar Banga Express, Balurghat-Sealdah Express, New Alipurduar-Sealdah Padatik Express, Jalpaiguri Road-Sealdah Humsafar Express, Radhikapur-Kolkata Express, Jogbani-Kolkata Express, Katihar-Howrah Express, Radhikapur-Howrah Kulik Express, Balurghat-Kolkata Tevaga Express, New Alipurduar-Sealdah Teesta Torsa Express, Malda Town-Howrah Intercity Express and several other services.
Several local passenger and MEMU services between Malda, Azimganj and Sahibganj have also been cancelled.
Trains diverted through alternative routes
Some trains are being diverted through New Farakka, Azimganj and Katwa. These include the NJP-Howrah Shatabdi Express, Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat Express, Howrah-Radhikapur Kulik Express and Kolkata-Haldibari Superfast Express.
Other long-distance services, including the Balurghat-Bengaluru Express, Agartala-Charlapalli Express, Sealdah-Silchar Kanchanjunga Express and Bengaluru-Radhikapur Express, are being diverted through Farakka, Azimganj and Nalhati.
Railways hopeful of restoring services
According to railway sources, if the situation does not worsen, no additional up-line trains are expected to be cancelled on Saturday. Railway officials are hopeful of bringing operations closer to normal by the evening. A power block has been imposed at Farakka to facilitate restoration work. Trains operating on diverted routes are being hauled by diesel locomotives. So far, around 160 trains have been operated in this manner.
Railway officials said the power block could be withdrawn shortly, and the disruption is expected to reduce significantly after Saturday evening.
Continuous rain weakens railway track foundation
Railway engineers are primarily working to strengthen the track foundations near Farakka. Continuous rain has softened the soil, leading to repeated landslides.
Sandbags and stone chips are being used to reinforce the foundation. However, railway officials say they require at least 10 to 12 hours of continuous rain-free weather to complete the stabilisation work effectively.
The railway faces another challenge at the damaged location, where a water body lies beside the tracks. Water is continuously seeping from the water body into the ground, further weakening the soil beneath the railway line. A nearby electricity pole has also reportedly tilted to one side, adding to the safety concerns.
Trial run to determine railway safety
Once the initial repair work is completed, railway authorities will first operate an engine on the repaired section as a trial run.
If everything is found to be safe, a two-coach inspection van will be operated next. After that, a train with LHB coaches is expected to run with an interval of around one hour.
Passenger train services could be restored after these stages are successfully completed.
Signalling repairs remain in final stage
Eastern Railway said on Saturday morning that signalling repair work was underway on the damaged section of the track.
Officials said every detail was being carefully checked before normal services are restored. Railway personnel are working on a war footing to ensure safe and smooth train operations, with the final stage of restoration currently underway.
