New Rail Route Proposal Offers Hope for Barak Valley Amid Landslide Challenges

Barak Valley Faces Rail Disruptions

Silchar, June 27: The Barak Valley region, along with neighboring states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, is grappling with severe disruptions due to significant landslides affecting the Jatinga–Lampur rail section. This situation has left the area cut off from its primary rail connection to the mainland.

Call for Alternative Rail Route

In a recent meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi, Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha emphasized the urgent need for the long-awaited Lanka–Silchar rail project. He described this route as a crucial lifeline for the local population, especially given the frequent interruptions on the existing Lumding–Silchar line, which is prone to landslides and soil erosion during the monsoon season.

Purkayastha stated, "I highlighted the pressing requirement for an alternative rail route from Lanka to Silchar. Although the final location survey was approved three years ago, there has been no tangible progress. The Minister responded positively, assuring that there would be encouraging news for the residents of Barak Valley and surrounding areas within the next six months."

Improving Passenger Amenities

The proposed railway line is anticipated to greatly enhance regional connectivity and improve resilience against natural disasters.

Additionally, Purkayastha raised concerns about the inadequate passenger facilities at Silchar Railway Station, particularly the poor state of the coaches. He noted, "Many express trains departing from Silchar still utilize outdated Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches, which are in a terrible condition, featuring broken fittings and malfunctioning air-conditioning, compromising passenger comfort."

In response, the Minister reportedly assured that the ICF coaches would soon be replaced with modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches to improve safety and comfort for travelers.

Restoration Efforts Underway

Meanwhile, restoration efforts at the landslide-affected Jatinga–Lampur section are being conducted with urgency. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Chetan Srivastava, who visited the site, confirmed that 15 excavators are working around the clock to restore train services.

"Despite the heavy rainfall, we are dedicated to ensuring safe travel. Train operations are expected to resume by Monday. For the next month, we will continue to reinforce the affected area. Trains may need to slow down while traversing the 100-meter vulnerable stretch but will return to normal speed afterward," Srivastava stated.

Regarding the proposed alternative route, the GM mentioned that a 160-km alignment from Lanka to Moinarbondh (Silchar) is currently under survey. This project, which includes several tunnels through hilly terrain, is projected to cost around Rs 30,000 crore and may take approximately five years to complete once approved.