On Monday, rail services on the Lumding–Badarpur hill section faced a brief disruption due to a collision between the Kanchenjunga Express and a herd of buffaloes inside Tunnel No. 16, near New Haflong in Dima Hasa district. The incident resulted in multiple animal deaths, with at least eight buffaloes found dead. Railway officials responded quickly, deploying teams from the Engineering Department and the Railway Protection Force to facilitate rescue and clearance operations. The train was reversed to New Haflong station to clear the tracks, and normal operations resumed shortly thereafter. No injuries to passengers or staff were reported, but authorities are reviewing safety measures to prevent animals from entering tunnels in hilly areas.
