By Sunday, an Assam minister promises to restore the rail system

Assam’s Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Nandita Garlosa, visited the affected Jatinga–Lampur stretch on Thursday, assuring the public that railway services along the Lumding–Badarpur hill section may resume by Sunday. The area, part of the Dima Hasao district, has been severely impacted by incessant rains and landslides, leading to the suspension of both rail and road connectivity.

During her field visit to the vulnerable hill zone, Minister Garlosa expressed deep concern over the recurrent landslides hampering progress but praised the tireless efforts of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). “The railway restoration is going on at a war footing. Despite frequent nighttime rainfall causing fresh mudslides, NFR teams are working day and night. If weather conditions permit, rail services might resume as early as Sunday,” she said.

The Lumding–Badarpur hill line, a lifeline connecting the Barak Valley and other northeastern states to the rest of Assam, was forced to halt services due to boulders, debris, and collapsed sections caused by continuous rainfall earlier this week. This disruption has severely affected passenger movement and freight supply to southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and parts of Manipur.

Minister Garlosa also visited the landslide-hit portion of National Highway-27 between Haflong and Silchar, another critical artery in the state’s transportation grid. The stretch near Jatinga–Lampur remains treacherous, prompting state and central agencies to consider long-term solutions to ensure future resilience.

In a major development, Garlosa confirmed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated plans to build an alternative route through the affected zone. “A team from IIT Guwahati has surveyed the area and proposed a new road alignment. Based on their recommendations, a new route will be developed to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in the future,” she announced.

The IIT team’s involvement underscores the technical rigor being applied to the solution, which will take into account the topography, soil stability, and environmental vulnerabilities of the region—frequently battered by monsoon-triggered landslides.

Dima Hasao, known for its hilly terrain and scenic beauty, often becomes isolated during the rainy season due to fragile infrastructure. Local residents have voiced growing concerns about the lack of sustainable road and rail planning, especially in ecologically sensitive zones like Jatinga, famed for its mysterious bird phenomenon, and Lampur.

Minister Garlosa’s visit also signals the government’s heightened attention to the region’s infrastructure challenges. Accompanied by senior officials from NFR, NHAI, and the state administration, the minister interacted with engineers and laborers on-site, boosting morale amid the strenuous restoration work.

“This is not just about repairing railways and roads; it’s about restoring lifelines and livelihoods,” she said, noting that essential supplies and emergency services have been delayed due to the disruption.

In the meantime, transport and district authorities are coordinating emergency relief through alternative road networks and air-drops in some of the worst-hit interior pockets of Dima Hasao. According to district officials, stranded passengers have been provided shelter, food, and basic medical aid, although accessibility remains limited in several areas.