The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has successfully restored the railway tracks damaged by recent floods at Simaluguri and adjoining areas in Sibsagar district under the Tinsukia Division, enabling the resumption of rail connectivity in the affected region. The restoration was completed through sustained efforts by NFR’s engineering teams despite adverse weather conditions and the challenging flood situation. Train operations have now resumed in a phased manner with appropriate safety measures in place.
Although the railway track has been restored, many local residents, including families with children, along with their belongings and livestock, continue to take shelter on or near the railway tracks due to the prevailing water logging conditions. Keeping humanitarian concerns in view and giving utmost priority to public safety, NFR has decided to initially operate only diesel locomotive-hauled trains over the restored section. This temporary measure has been adopted to eliminate the risk of electrocution from overhead electric equipment and to ensure the safety of flood-affected people until the situation normalises.
As part of the revised operational plan, local train services including Train No. 15669 Guwahati–Dibrugarh Nagaland Express, Train No. 15603/15604 Guwahati–Ledo–Guwahati Intercity Express, Train No. 15967/15968 Rangiya–Ledo–Rangiya Intercity Express, Train No. 75601/75602 Lumding–Tinsukia–Lumding DEMU and Train No. 55914 Tinsukia–Jorhat Town Passenger, among others, will operate via Moranhat. Long-distance trains will, for the time being, continue to run on the diverted route via North Lakhimpur–Rangapara North–Rangiya until normal operations are fully restored.
To ensure uninterrupted connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Upper Assam during the disruption period, NFR has also been operating special trains at regular intervals. These special services have provided an effective alternative for passengers while restoration work was underway and will continue to supplement rail connectivity until the normal route is fully operational.
The restoration work was carried out through a well-coordinated effort by the dedicated workforce of Northeast Frontier Railway. More than 700 personnel worked round the clock at different damaged sections with the support of heavy machinery, engineering equipment, relief materials and other essential resources under the close supervision of senior officials from NFR Headquarters and Tinsukia Division. The large-scale deployment of manpower, machinery and materials enabled the restoration teams to safely, swiftly and efficiently reinstate the railway track. NFR remains committed to restoring normal train operations at the earliest while continuing to place the highest priority on passenger safety and the well-being of the local community.