Kolkata, 04 September (H.S.): Train services on a crucial railway route were severely disrupted after the soil beneath the tracks subsided near New Farakka station in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Thursday. Despite emergency repair work, train movement on the up line remains virtually suspended, while limited services are being operated on the down line.

The situation worsened on Thursday night when fresh subsidence was reported along the railway track, raising concerns among railway authorities. Several long-distance trains, including the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, have consequently been cancelled on Friday as well.

Besides the Vande Bharat Express, the Howrah-Balurghat Express, Howrah-Radhikapur Kulik Express and New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express were among the trains cancelled on Friday. Some trains have been diverted through alternative routes via Nalhati-Azimganj-New Farakka.

The route of the Digha-Malda Town Express has also been curtailed, with the train terminating at Rampurhat.

According to a railway notification, several other services, including the Sealdah-Sabroom Kanchanjunga Express, Sealdah-Haldibari Darjeeling Mail, Sealdah-Malda Town Gour Express, Sealdah-New Jalpaiguri Padatik Express, Sealdah-Alipurduar Kanchankanya Express, Sealdah-Balurghat Express and Amrit Bharat Express, have also been cancelled. The Sahibganj-Malda Town MEMU service has been suspended as well.

Railway sources said that although the affected route remains closed for the time being, the Up Uttar Banga Express is being operated through an alternative route for the convenience of passengers. The train will reach New Farakka via Bandel, Katwa and Azimganj.

Railway authorities said normal services would resume only after the affected section is declared completely safe and free from the risk of further subsidence. As a result, passengers and tourists travelling to North Bengal over the weekend are facing considerable difficulties.

Eastern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Shibram Majhi said repair work was being carried out on a priority basis. “Work is progressing swiftly. This is a very important section, and train services will resume only after adequate safety is ensured,” he said.

According to railway sources, the incident was first detected at around 2.30 am on Wednesday night, when soil beneath a nearly 20-metre stretch of track about 100 metres from New Farakka station, towards Barharwa, sank by several feet.

Gangmen deployed for night-time track surveillance noticed the subsidence and immediately informed the Farakka station manager. Railway officials reached the spot during the night and suspended train movement on the up line. Several trains were subsequently held up at different stations.

To stabilise the affected section, railway authorities brought freight trains carrying stone chips and crushed stone from Jharkhand and used the material to fill and reinforce the subsided portion. However, during the repair work, fresh erosion occurred along the bank of a pond adjacent to the railway track. The impact caused an electric pole beside the line to tilt.

Around 150 workers, under the supervision of railway engineers, are engaged in round-the-clock repair work. Stone chips are being used to raise and stabilise the sunken section. However, the fresh subsidence has added to the concerns of railway authorities.

Although restoration work is progressing rapidly, railway officials believe it could take another two to three days for train services on the up line to return to normal.

New Farakka Junction is a key railway link connecting several routes and plays an important role in rail connectivity between North Bengal, Bihar and parts of Jharkhand. Although some trains have been diverted, the disruption has not been fully resolved, with several services cancelled on Thursday and more cancellations announced for Friday.

With rail connectivity between North and South Bengal effectively disrupted, many passengers are turning to buses to reach their destinations. Passengers have reportedly been struggling to secure tickets on government buses and are seeking private alternatives. Some passengers have also alleged that private bus operators have increased fares amid the sudden surge in demand.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh