Hailakandi, Sept 4: Rail connectivity between Assam and Mizoram was disrupted after heavy rainfall triggered extensive soil erosion along the Katakhal-Bairabi section, prompting the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to short-originate two trains from Hailakandi and cancel several others on Friday. According to the NFR, around 70 metres of railway track, extending up to 40 metres from the centre of the track, has been affected by the erosion near the Jamira-Bairabi stretch.

As a result, Train No. 15610 Sairang-Guwahati Express and Train No.

20507 Sairang-Anand Vihar Terminal Express, both scheduled to depart on Friday, were short-originated from Hailakandi. Their services between Sairang and Hailakandi have been cancelled.

The disruption followed heavy rainfall on the evening of September 3, which caused extensive soil erosion near the railway track. “There is no direct road access to the affected site, posing additional challenges for restoration activities,” the NFR stated in a press release.

Restoration work has already commenced, with railway officials assessing the damage and monitoring progress at the site. “Considering the site conditions and accessibility constraints, the restoration work may take some time to complete,” the release stated.

The NFR also cancelled several train services scheduled for September 4. These include Train No.

15609 Guwahati-Sairang Express, Train No. 55667 Silchar-Bairabi Express and Train No.

13126 Sairang-Kolkata Express. Train No.

55668 Bairabi-Silchar Express and Train No. 55669 Silchar-Sairang Express have also been cancelled for September 4 and 5, while Train No.

55670 Sairang-Silchar Express scheduled for September 5 has been cancelled. The disruption has affected passengers and small traders who depend on the railway connection between southern Assam and Mizoram.

Railway authorities had arranged alternative buses on Thursday night for some stranded passengers, particularly women and children, to help them reach their destinations. The disruption has also hit traders from Mizoram who regularly travel to Hailakandi by train to purchase essential commodities.

The latest incident follows damage reported at two locations in southern Hailakandi. Soil beneath the track gave way at Choraibak, near the Mizoram border, on Thursday night, while another erosion-related incident was reported at Killarbak near Jamira on Friday morning.