Prompt assistance offered by NF Railway to stranded passengers
Train running was affected at the Dima Hasao district of Assam due to Cyclone Remal that resulted into heavy rainfall at most parts of North-Eastern region. Massive rainfall in some of the hilly areas of Dima Hasao district resulted into water logging on the railway tracks, yards and tunnels.
As a result Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) had to control train services. Some trains were cancelled, some were partially cancelled and some were rescheduled. It may be noted that there was 229 mm of rainfall at KM/110 on 28th May between 05:00 hours to 11:30 hours. New Harangajao station areas also recorded 217 mm of rainfall between 06:00 hours to 10:00 hours. Apart from rain, heavy cyclonic wind also resulted into falling of uprooted trees on railway track at different locations.
Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, Sabyasachi De through a press statement said that NFR immediately initiated efforts to provide necessary assistance and supply of packaged drinking water and food at Lumding and Guwahati Railway station for the stranded passengers of long distance trains going towards Agartala and Silchar.
Train no.12519 coming from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus which was enroute towards Agartala had to be brought back to Lumding station. On arriving at Lumding station, dinner and packaged drinking water was served to all the passengers by the railway authorities. Later the train arrived Guwahati railway station at 23:30 hours. The passengers were accommodated in 1st class waiting hall of Platform no 1 at Guwahati station by the railway authorities. Similarly train no.13175 coming from Sealdah which was enroute towards Silchar also had to be brought back to Lumding station and all the passengers were served tea and snacks by the railway authorities. Later the train arrived Guwahati station at 01:25 hours and passengers were accommodated in 1st class waiting hall of Platform no 1 at Guwahati station by railway officials.
Senior Railway Officials, Railway Protection Force personnel and along with Officials of Civil Administration, Guwahati were present at the station to assist the passengers to reach their destination safely.
The passengers appreciated the support and assistance given by N. F. Railway during the time of this natural calamity. NFR is carrying out various works in NE region as part of the Disaster Management activities. Assistances are being provided to the people of the hilly region in collaboration with the representatives of the state government wherever feasible. NFR is making all out efforts to resume train operations once the situation improves.