Aizawl/Silchar : Train services between Assam and Mizoram have been disrupted after heavy rainfall triggered soil erosion along the railway track between Jamira in Assam and Bairabi in Mizoram on the Katakhal-Bairabi section.

The damage was reported on September 3, affecting around 70 metres of railway track, while soil erosion has extended up to 40 metres from the track centre, according to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

NFR has launched restoration work at the affected location and is monitoring the condition of the track. However, repair work is expected to take time as the site does not have direct road connectivity, making it difficult to transport workers, equipment and construction materials.

The disruption has resulted in the cancellation and curtailment of several passenger and long-distance train services connecting Assam and Mizoram. Train No. 15610 Sairang-Guwahati Express will remain cancelled for journeys beginning on September 5, 7 and 9, while Train No. 15609 Guwahati-Sairang Express will be cancelled for journeys beginning on September 6 and 8.

Train No. 55667 Silchar-Bairabi Express will remain cancelled from September 5 to 9, while Train No. 55668 Bairabi-Silchar Express will be cancelled from September 6 to 10. Train Nos. 55669 Silchar-Sairang Express and 55670 Sairang-Silchar Express have also been cancelled on specified dates between September 6 and 10.

Several services curtailed

Some long-distance trains will operate on shortened routes because of the disruption.

Train No. 15610 Sairang-Guwahati Express, scheduled to commence its journey on September 6 and 8, will originate from Hailakandi instead of Sairang. The Sairang-Hailakandi portion of the service will remain cancelled. Train No. 13126 Sairang-Kolkata Express, scheduled to depart on September 7, will also originate from Hailakandi, with services between Sairang and Hailakandi cancelled.

On the Guwahati-Sairang route, Train No. 15609, scheduled to commence its journey on September 5, 7 and 9, will terminate at Hailakandi. The Hailakandi-Sairang section will remain cancelled. Similarly, Train No. 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express, scheduled to commence its journey on September 5, will be short-terminated at Hailakandi.

Train No. 20508 Anand Vihar Terminal-Sairang Express, scheduled to commence its journey on September 6, will also terminate at Hailakandi. NFR said restoration work is underway and railway officials are continuously assessing the condition of the damaged track and the progress of repairs.

The railway authorities said further changes to train operations will depend on the pace of restoration work and the safety assessment of the affected section. The disruption is likely to affect passengers travelling between Assam and Mizoram, particularly those relying on the rail connection through Bairabi, the gateway to Mizoram’s rail network.