§  4 trains cancelled

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§  Tista Torsa Express delayed

§  9 diverted via alternative routes

§  North Bengal floods force major railway disruptions

The devastating North Bengal floods have forced Indian Railways to implement major schedule changes and route modifications across the region, severely impacting thousands of passengers. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) announced significant alterations to train timings and routes as railway tracks remain submerged under floodwater in multiple locations across Alipurduar division

Emergency Schedule Changes Implemented for Tista Torsa Express

The popular Tista Torsa Express (13141/13142) connecting New Alipurduar to Sealdah has undergone major timing modifications due to the flooding crisis. Instead of the original departure time of 3:00 PM on Sunday, the train now departs at 6:30 PM from New Alipurduar station. This three-and-half-hour delay affects thousands of daily passengers who rely on this crucial transportation link between North Bengal and Kolkata.

Railway authorities confirmed that water is flowing over railway tracks at several locations in Alipurduar district, making it impossible to maintain regular schedules. The Northeast Frontier Railway issued an official statement: “Due to heavy rain and water flowing over the railway tracks at certain locations in North Bengal under Alipurduar Division, it has been decided that a number of trains will be diverted/cancelled/short terminated”.

Major Train Cancellations Hit North Bengal Route

The NFR has completely cancelled four crucial train services due to track damage and safety concerns

·       Complete Cancellations Include

                i.          New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar-New Jalpaiguri Passenger Special

              ii.          Dhubri-Siliguri DEMU

            iii.          Siliguri-Bamanhat Express

             iv.          Siliguri Junction to New Bongaigaon Express

These cancellations have left thousands of passengers stranded, particularly affecting those traveling between Assam and West Bengal. The railway authorities advised affected travelers to explore alternate transportation or adjust their travel plans accordingly.

Nine Trains Diverted Through Alternative Routes

To ensure passenger safety while maintaining connectivity, the NFR has diverted nine major trains through alternative routes, avoiding flood-affected areas. The diverted trains include several premium services:

·       Key Diverted Services

o   Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express now travels via New Coochbehar, Mathabhanga, Jamalda Gopalpur, Maynaguri Road, Yeleg and Rani Nagar Jalpaiguri instead of the direct route

o   New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express follows the reverse route via New Changrabandha and Mathabhanga

o   Alipurduar Junction to Delhi trains

o   Kamakhya-Dr Ambedkar Nagar Express

o   Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express diverted between New Cooch Behar and Y-Leg connection cabin

The Rajdhani Express services, considered the premium trains connecting Northeast India to the national capital, now take longer routes with additional stops for just 2 minutes at Mathabhanga, New Changrabandha, Jalpaiguri Road and New Jalpaiguri stations.

Bongaigaon-New Jalpaiguri Express Route Shortened

Railway authorities have also implemented partial journey terminations to manage the crisis effectively. The Bongaigaon-New Jalpaiguri Express now terminates its journey at New Coochbehar Station instead of continuing to New Jalpaiguri. The section between New Coochbehar and New Jalpaiguri remains partially suspended due to track conditions.

This modification significantly impacts passengers traveling to Siliguri and surrounding areas, as they must now arrange alternative transportation for the final leg of their journey.

Stranded Dibrugarh-Kolkata Puja Special Takes Detour

One of the most affected services is the Dibrugarh-Kolkata Puja Special train, which became stranded at Dhupguri station. Railway officials confirmed that this train will be “sent back to New Coochbehar and diverted via New Coochbehar-Mathabhanga, New Changrabandha and New Jalpaiguri”.

Passengers aboard this special service faced significant delays and uncertainty as the train took an unprecedented detour route. The service has no scheduled stops between New Coochbehar and New Jalpaiguri during this emergency rerouting.

Heritage Toy Train Service Indefinitely Suspended

The famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, popularly known as the “Toy Train” has been suspended indefinitely due to the flood situation. This UNESCO World Heritage railway service, a major tourist attraction, typically connects Darjeeling with the plains but remains closed as a precautionary measure.

The suspension affects thousands of tourists who had planned to experience this historic narrow-gauge railway during the post-Durga Puja tourism season.

Passengers Face Travel Chaos and Uncertainty

The extensive train disruptions have created chaos for passengers across North Bengal and Northeast India. Many travelers found themselves stranded at stations with limited information about alternative arrangements. Tourist groups and families returning from Durga Puja celebrations have been particularly affected by these sudden changes.

Railway helplines have been activated to assist stranded passengers with authorities working around the clock to provide updated information about train schedules and alternative transportation options.

Infrastructure Damage Forces Long-term Route Changes

The flooding has caused significant infrastructure damage across the NFR network. Railway tracks at multiple locations in Alipurduar division remain underwater, while some sections have suffered embankment damage. The extent of infrastructure damage suggests that these route modifications and schedule changes may continue for several days or even weeks.

Railway officials emphasized that passenger safety remains the top priority, justifying the extensive disruptions as necessary precautionary measures. The situation mirrors similar disruptions from 2018 when North Bengal floods caused comparable railway chaos.

Alternative Transportation Arrangements

To manage the crisis, local authorities have activated emergency transportation protocols. Bus services have been enhanced on routes parallel to affected railway lines, though capacity remains limited compared to train services. Tourism department offices have opened multiple helplines to assist stranded visitors.

The West Bengal government has also coordinated with neighboring states to ensure stranded passengers from Assam, Bihar, and other regions receive necessary assistance.

Read More: Darjeeling Disaster: 24 Lives Lost in Devastating North Bengal Landslides and Floods

Economic Impact on Tourism and Commerce

These railway disruptions come at a particularly challenging time, coinciding with the peak post-Durga Puja tourism season in North Bengal. The cancellation of trains to popular destinations like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the Dooars region has significantly impacted local tourism businesses already struggling with flood damage.

Commercial freight movement has also been severely affected, with goods trains facing similar diversions and delays. This impacts the supply chain for essential commodities in Northeast India, which heavily depends on rail connectivity through North Bengal.

Railway Authorities Monitoring Situation Continuously

NFR officials stated they are “continuously monitoring the flood situation” and will restore normal train operations as soon as track conditions permit. Emergency railway teams are working to assess damage and begin repair work where possible.

The railway authorities have advised all passengers to verify their train status before traveling and check official NFR announcements for the latest updates on schedule modifications.

Conclusion: Resilience Tested by Natural Disasters

The massive railway disruptions in North Bengal highlight the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure to extreme weather events. While these schedule changes and cancellations cause significant inconvenience to thousands of passengers, they demonstrate the railway authorities’ commitment to prioritizing safety during natural disasters.

As North Bengal continues to grapple with flood recovery, the restoration of normal train services remains crucial for reconnecting communities and supporting economic recovery. Passengers are advised to stay informed about changing conditions and plan their journeys accordingly.

The situation serves as a reminder of how natural disasters can cascade into transportation crises, affecting not just immediate safety but also economic activities and social connections across vast regions.

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