Lumding-Badarpur rail link faces potential six-month disruption

The Lumding-Badarpur hill railway section faces potential long-term disruption due to sinking tracks near New Harangajao station. Approximately 200 metres of track between New Haflong and New Harangajao have sunk, leading to the suspension of train movement on Lines 1 and 2 for over a month to ensure passenger safety.

Repair efforts have been complicated by continuous underground water seepage, which has repeatedly undermined attempts to stabilize the section with soil. Railway authorities are currently utilizing piling work to drain the water and stabilize the terrain. However, ongoing monsoon conditions are worsening the soil and groundwater instability in the hilly region.

The Northeast Frontier Railway is considering a permanent solution by constructing a bridge over the problematic stretch rather than rebuilding the sunken section with soil. While a bridge would offer a more stable long-term fix, it would require significant time. Officials have indicated that a ‘mega block’ of approximately six months may be necessary to facilitate large-scale reconstruction and stabilization work.