Rail services on the Lumding–Silchar route, a critical corridor for connectivity in Northeast India, have resumed after over a week of severe disruption due to landslides between Mupa and Dihakho. This section, located in the geologically fragile Dima Hasao district, had been rendered impassable since early July, impacting essential passenger and freight operations across Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur.
Officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) confirmed that cautious operations were restarted after extensive restoration work involving heavy machinery and continuous monitoring of terrain stability. The first successful transit was recorded late Thursday night with the Sealdah–Silchar Express navigating the affected section, followed by the Guwahati–Silchar Express and the Coimbatore–Silchar Express on Friday. Engineers overseeing the restoration warned that the stretch remains volatile, with unstable soil conditions and potential rockfall risks. Trains have been ordered to move at a restricted speed of 10 km/h through the damaged section to avoid triggering further collapses or accidents.
Despite resumption of services, the operational capacity remains constrained. Train schedules have been revised, with departures like the Silchar–Rangiya Express and Guwahati–Silchar Express postponed by a day to manage safety concerns. The Guwahati–Badarpur Vistadome Tourist Train will remain cancelled for the time being. Railway experts noted that prolonged monsoonal activity continues to destabilise the terrain, delaying full-scale restoration. Meanwhile, on-ground teams are working round-the-clock to clear debris and reinforce embankments to prevent future incidents.
This railway line remains the economic lifeline for the southern Assam region and neighbouring states. The resumption of traffic, even at limited capacity, comes as a significant relief to passengers, local businesses, and logistics operators who rely heavily on this critical link for supplies and mobility. While uncertainty persists due to unpredictable weather patterns, authorities are proceeding with measured caution. Full restoration of the route, officials said, will be achieved in phases, with safety as the topmost priority.
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