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India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Northeast Frontier Railway working on war footing to restore rail connectivity in Lumding-Badarpur hill section
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 25 (ANI): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is undertaking restoration works on a war footing to reinstate train services in the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section, where rail connectivity has been disrupted due to a major landslide incident. Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, said that approximately 100 meters of track had been severely affected by the landslide, which was triggered by the failure of a slope near an adjacent road situated just 15 meters from the railway line. 'The incident occurred due to continuous heavy rainfall in the region. A high-level meeting was convened on June 24, 2025 to address the issue, attended by the Chief Secretary of Assam, General Manager of NFR, and senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other concerned agencies. During the meeting, a coordinated restoration scheme was finalised, and joint operations are currently underway. More than 25 heavy machinery units, including excavators, JCBs and dumpers, along with approx 200 labourers, have been deployed to expedite the restoration process. Senior officers from the Lumding Division, including the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Lumding, are present at the site to monitor and ensure round-the-clock operations,' Sharma said. He further said that, despite the ongoing efforts, challenges remain. 'The slow and continuous movement of loose soil from the hillside, coupled with persistent rainfall, poses significant risks and delays. The priority is to first stabilize the hill slope, followed by the removal of around 25,000 cubic meters of muck and debris. This includes clearing the railway track section as well as the vulnerable portions of the hill above the track. Protection measures will then be implemented to guarantee long-term safety and slope stability. Until restoration is completed, it has been decided to cancel/partial cancel certain trains for the safety of passengers. Passengers are requested to stay updated through official railway communication channels for further information regarding train movements and restoration of services,' Sharma said. Due to the landslide, several trains have been cancelled such as Rangiya-Silchar-Rangiya Express (Train No. 15611/15612) and Guwahati - Silchar Express (Train no. 15615) which was set to commence thier journey on June 25 and June 26/ Silchar - Guwahati Express (Train no. 15616),commencing journey on June 26 and June 27 has also been cancelled along with Guwahati - Dullabcherra Express (Train No. 15617), Silchar - Secunderabad Express ( Train no. 12514) and AnandVihar Terminal - Agartala TejasRajdhani Express (Train no. 20502) set to commence on June 25. Additionally, Dullabcherra - Guwahati Express (Train no. 15618), Agartala - Guwahati Special (Train no. 05628) and Silchar - Kolkata Express (Train no. 05639), Guwahati - Agartala Special (Train no. 05627) and Kolkata - Silchar Special (Train no. 05640) have also been cancelled. The trains which have been partially cancelled include Sealdah - Silchar KazirangaExpress (Train no. 13175) which has been shortly terminated at Lumding and will remain partially cancelled between Lumding and Silchar. Sabroom - Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express (Train no. 13174) commencing journey on June 26 will be short originated from Lumding and will remain partially cancelled between Sabroom and Lumding. SMVT Bengaluru - Agartala Express (Train no. 12503) commencing journey on June 24 will be short terminated at Guwahati and will remain partially cancelled between Guwahati and Agartala. Silchar - Thiruvanantapuram Express (Train no. 12508) commencing journey on June 26 will be short originated from Guwahati and will remain partially cancelled between Silchar and Guwahati. Agartala - Charlapalli Special (Train no. 07029) commencing journey on June 27 will be short originated from Guwahati and will remain partially cancelled between Agartala and Guwahati. Agartala - LokmanyaTilak Terminus Express (Train no. 07029) commencing journey on June 26 will be short originated from Kamakhya and will remain partially cancelled between Agartala and Kamakhya. Agartala - Firozpur Express (Train no. 14619) commencing journey on June 26 will be short originated from Guwahati and will remain partially cancelled between Agartala and Guwahati. 'Train movement in the affected section will remain suspended until the restoration is fully completed. However, all-out efforts are being made to restore connectivity within a week, subject to weather conditions. Passengers are requested to stay updated through official railway communication channels regarding the resumption of services,' the CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Train services hit in parts of southern Assam due to heavy rainfall
Guwahati, Train services in parts of southern Assam have been affected due to rising water level at tracks and waterlogging at washing pits, particularly in Silchar, a Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said on Wednesday. Heavy rainfall and landslides have posed threat to the Badarpur-Lumding hill section which connects Barak valley to the rest of the country, though rail movement has not been snapped with on-ground staff and technology being deployed to ensure the tracks remain clear, another NFR official said. In view of rising water level at railway tracks and waterlogging at Silchar washing pits, train services over certain sections of NFR have been affected, the spokesperson said in a statement. "As a result, few trains have been cancelled, short terminated/originated or rescheduled," he added. The Badarpur-Dullabcherra, Dullabcherra – Badarpur, Silchar – Dullabcherra, and Agartala –Dharmanagar passenger trains have been cancelled for the day. The Dullabcherra – Silchar and Dharmanagar– Agartala passenger trains will remain cancelled on Thursday, the spokesperson said. The Bairabi–Silchar– Bairabi Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short terminated at Katakhal Junction, and remain cancelled between Katakhal Junction and Silchar. The Agartala-Arunachal–Agartala Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short terminated at Badarpur, and remain cancelled between Badarpur and Arunachal. The Silchar – Guwahati Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short originated from Badarpur, and will remain cancelled between Silchar and Badarpur, the spokesperson added. Another NFR official said that water from the Barak river, which flows close to Silchar railway station, has entered parts of the station, rendering difficulties in normal operations. He said as the washing pits are inundated, the maintenance of the trains parked there has not been possible and it has led to cancellation or rescheduling of some trains. Regarding the Badarpur-Lumding hill section, he said small landslides, incidents of boulders blocking tracks, etc. have been reported over the last few days. "But our personnel are working round-the-clock and clearing the tracks. Some short-distance passenger trains have been cancelled but no long-distance train has been cancelled so far. We are ensuring movement with some time and speed adjustments to minimise problems for the passenger," the official added. Recognising the challenges posed by the North East region's complex terrain and severe weather conditions, NFR has intensified its monitoring and maintenance activities to ensure passenger safety and infrastructure integrity since last week, an official statement said. Stationary watchmen have been deployed at all vulnerable locations, with particular emphasis on critical sections such as Badarpur-Lumding hill section and various locations in Tripura. Regular patrolling is being conducted and senior officials, including the additional general manager and divisional railway managers of NFR, are supervising the situation continuously. Trolley patrolling is being carried out by officers to ensure close monitoring and regular inspections are being undertaken. NFR has also adopted technological initiatives to address its risks associated with landslides, drainage issues and embankment stability. These include drone-based LiDAR , high-resolution aerial imaging and electromagnetic surveys over an 80-km stretch of the Badarpur-Lumding hill section. Terrestrial Laser Scanning has been introduced at critical points to enhance tunnel safety and structural monitoring during peak rainfall periods, the statement added.
News18
02-06-2025
- General
- News18
Railways Ordered To Compensate Elderly Bengaluru Couple Who Missed Train Due To Overcrowding
Last Updated: Forced to miss an overcrowded train despite valid tickets, an elderly couple battled Indian Railways for years and won. Their quiet courage turned their loss into justice On the night of April 13, 2022, an elderly couple in Bengaluru experienced a distressing ordeal when they were unable to board their reserved train due to severe overcrowding at Krishnarajapuram (KJM) station. Purna Ramakrishna, 65, and his wife Himavati arrived at 11:53pm to board the Guwahati Express bound for Vijayawada, holding confirmed sleeper class tickets worth Rs 892.5. They had also paid Rs 165 for an auto-rickshaw ride to the station. Despite their valid tickets, the S2 coach was so packed that boarding was nearly impossible. With no railway staff available to assist and only two minutes before departure, the couple was forced to give up and return home—unaware that their struggle was far from over. The couple repeatedly sought redress by lodging complaints and sending emails to Indian Railways, but received no response. Expecting Indian Railways to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) on their behalf, they waited in vain. With no alternative left, they took their case to the Bengaluru Urban 2 District Consumer Commission. When Indian Railways failed to respond within the mandated 45-day period, the initial complaint was dismissed in July 2023. Undeterred, the couple appealed to the State Consumer Commission, which sent the case back to the District Forum for a full hearing. Missing the train also caused the cancellation of subsequent confirmed tickets on the Kondavidu Express and a return ticket scheduled for April 21, resulting in significant financial loss for the couple. Finally, in March 2025, the Consumer Commission ruled in favour of the elderly couple. Indian Railways was ordered to refund the Rs 892.5 ticket fare, pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for emotional distress and service failure, and Rs 3,000 towards legal expenses. First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:46 IST
Time of India
01-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Elderly couple wins 3-year-long refund battle against Indian Railways after being forced to miss train due to overcrowding
A senior couple from Hoodi, Bengaluru, successfully took on Indian Railways after they were forced to cancel a train journey due to severe overcrowding in their reserved coach. Despite holding valid tickets, they were unable to board and were later denied a refund. Following a legal battle, the consumer commission ruled in their favour, ordering a full refund and compensation. The case highlights what passengers can do when services fail, and where to turn when complaints go unanswered. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No help, no refund, no explanation Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Losses beyond one missed journey Railways call it 'a personal decision' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads But a letter from Indian Railways told another story Compensation ordered for financial and mental distress On 13 April 2022, Purna Ramakrishna and his wife Hymavathi reached Krishnarajapuram (KJM) station in Bengaluru to board the Guwahati Express. The couple, both senior citizens from Hoodi, had valid sleeper class tickets worth ₹892.5 for a journey to they never reserved S2 coach was packed. So was the rest of the train. With no railway staff in sight and the train halting only for two minutes at 11.53 p.m., they made a difficult decision — to return had already spent ₹165 on an auto to the station. But what came next was far multiple representations, follow-up emails and messages, Indian Railways neither issued a refund nor offered any explanation. The couple waited. They reached out again. Still no proper response, they filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Urban II additional district consumer commission, citing service lapses. The railways, however, failed to file a reply within the 45-day window. Their version wasn't forum initially dismissed the complaint on 1 July 2023. But the couple didn't give up. They escalated the matter to the state commission, which then set aside the earlier dismissal and asked the district forum to readmit the impact of that missed train went further. The couple's onward journey was cancelled. Only one of their e-tickets for the Kondaveedu Express was confirmed. This forced them to cancel both tickets and bear the cancellation had also booked return tickets for 21 April, which had to be scrapped altogether. The domino effect was clear — their travel plans collapsed due to no fault of their their complaint, they said they informed the railways after the train had left, expecting a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) to be filed on their behalf. But this, too, was not its written response, the South Western Railway said the couple's claim of overcrowding was 'false and baseless.' They stated that 134 passengers boarded the train at KJM that night and there were no complaints — 'except from the elderly couple.'Railway officials said the train was fully reserved and that unreserved travel had resumed across the division after COVID-19 restrictions were response added that 'no issue was reported to the station master or RPF on duty,' and that 'no crowding was flagged by staff on board.' Railways argued the couple's choice not to board was 'a personal decision' and not the result of any service refund rules, they said that confirmed tickets were non-refundable unless cancelled or supported by a TDR filed at least four hours before departure.A key piece of evidence swung the case.A railway letter dated 6 May 2022, issued shortly after the incident, acknowledged a 'spike in ticketless travel' and recommended 'issuing unreserved tickets to curb revenue loss.' This, the forum said, lent credibility to the couple's panel ruled that 'internal records can't override on-ground realities,' especially when passengers are unable to board during a brief halt at midnight with no staff March this year, the commission ruled in favour of the couple. It directed Indian Railways to refund the ₹892.5 fare and pay an additional ₹5,000 for deficiency in service and mental distress. Litigation costs of ₹3,000 were also judgment underlined the duty of service providers to offer not just access, but support — especially when things go case sets a reserved coaches are overcrowded and inaccessible, passengers have the right to demand accountability. As this couple's case shows, persistence pays off — but it also exposes gaps in the defence leaned on technicalities. But the commission focused on lived that makes the difference.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Heavy rain continues to batter Assam, disrupting train services and road transport
GUWAHATI: Relentless rainfall continued to lash Assam on Sunday, severely disrupting road and rail transport across the northeastern state. According to officials, at least eight people have died so far due to floods and landslides. More than 78,000 residents across over 15 districts have been affected, prompting widespread concern. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an 'orange bulletin' for Assam, warning of a 'severe flood situation' as ten major rivers including the Brahmaputra and Barak are currently flowing above the danger level. A spokesperson for Northeast Frontier Railway stated that, following incessant rainfall in the past 24 hours and water overflowing onto the tracks in the Baraigram–Dullabcherra section, the Dullabcherra–Silchar passenger train has been cancelled for the day. Additionally, the Dullabcherra–Guwahati Express will now originate from Baraigram instead of Dullabcherra.
