State Bureau | Kolkata: Repair work was underway after a railway track near New Farakka station was damaged by soil subsidence; however, a second landslide-like subsidence occurred along the tracks on Thursday night, heightening concerns for railway authorities.
Several train services on the Up line remained suspended, with a few number of trains are being operated on the Down line. Several long-distance trains, including the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, have been cancelled on Friday.
Concerns emerged after the soil beneath the railway tracks near New Farakka station had caved in on Thursday, disrupting train movement. Railway authorities immediately started repair work, but train operations on the Up line remain suspended.
Even as a limited number of trains were operated in both directions using the Down line after Thursday afternoon, most trains were cancelled for the safety of passengers. The situation turned worse after fresh subsidence was reported along the railway track area near New Farakka on Thursday night.
Which trains have been cancelled?
Several trains have been cancelled, including, the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, Howrah-Balurghat Express, Howrah-Radhikapur Kulik Express and New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express.
Some trains have been diverted through alternative routes, including Nalhati-Azimganj-New Farakka.
Services in the Digha-Malda Town Express has also been curtailed and terminated at Rampurhat. According to railway authorities, the affected section will remain closed until it is declared completely safe and free from the risk of further subsidence.
Railway engineers are supervising repair operations, with around 150 workers working on a war footing to restore the damaged section.
Farakka acts as a crucial link
The New Farakka Junction acts a crucial link between North Bengal and parts of Jharkhand and Bihar. The disruption has therefore affected several long-distance train services operating through the route.
Several trains such as the Sealdah-Balurghat Express, Haat Bazaar Express, Gaur Express and Kolkata-Radhikapur Express, were cancelled on Thursday. More cancellations have been announced for Friday. Railway authorities have also diverted some trains through alternative routes to reduce the impact of the disruption.