HAFLONG, Aug 13: In a bid to check perennial landslides on the Lumding-Badarpur hill railway section, the NF Railway has decided to introduce geobags to check the problem. According to sources, 1000 geobags have been brought to help retain soil erosion and stabilise vulnerable portions of the track. The initiative has been taken by the NF Railway to support the infrastructure which has suffered to a large extent due to persistent monsoon rain and landslides. Several portions of the railway formation near New Harangajao have been affected by soil erosion. In some places, the earth beneath the tracks has been washed away, while mud, rocks and debris from the hillside have repeatedly fallen onto the railway line. The Northeast Frontier Railway has deployed heavy machinery to remove debris, carry out earth filling, place boulders and strengthen vulnerable sections. The use of geo-textile bags has now been added as an additional preventive measure. According to railway sources, the bags will be placed in erosion-prone areas after being filled with soil, sand or other suitable material. They can be stacked in layers to hold loose earth and reduce the direct impact of rainwater on vulnerable slopes and railway formations. Railway officials hope the geo-textile bags will provide temporary reinforcement to weakened sections while more permanent stabilisation work continues. The situation at New Harangajao has already disrupted train operations. Both Line No. 1 and Line No. 2 have been affected by soil settlement, while limited train movement has been maintained through Line No. 3. Train speeds and movement are being regulated wherever necessary depending on weather and ground conditions and the affected sections are being monitored continuously. However, continuing rainfall has made the restoration work difficult. In several instances, freshly repaired portions have again been affected by soil movement, forcing railway personnel to undertake repeated repairs. Local residents said the New Harangajao stretch has long remained highly vulnerable during the monsoon because of its steep slopes, loose soil and heavy rainfall. They stressed that besides immediate repairs, long-term measures such as improved drainage, slope protection and strengthening of the railway formation would be necessary to address the problem permanently.