The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has indefinitely suspended train services between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations in Assam's Dhemaji district after severe riverbank erosion damaged a key railway bridge amid the ongoing flood situation.
According to the NFR, the railway bridge located at KM 408/11-13 became unsafe after heavy rainfall washed away a significant portion of the riverbank, destabilising one of its piers. The bridge, originally constructed in 1965 and later converted to broad gauge, had remained structurally sound until the recent erosion.
Railway authorities clarified that no trains were damaged and no injuries were reported. As a precautionary measure, train movement on the low-traffic branch line had already been suspended due to the swollen river before the bridge was affected.
The NFR announced that train services between Murkongselek and Silapathar under the Tinsukia Division will remain suspended until further notice. Trains operating on the route will now originate from and terminate at Silapathar until restoration work is completed.
To minimise inconvenience to passengers, the railway has arranged bus services between Murkongselek and Silapathar. Help desks have also been set up at Dhemaji, Silapathar and Murkongselek railway stations to assist stranded passengers and provide travel-related information.
The NFR said it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Assam Government and the district administration to ensure passenger safety and restore services at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government is mobilising all available resources to provide immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation to flood-affected families in Dhemaji. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 16,000 people across 69 villages in four revenue circles have been affected by the floods.
The Chief Minister has directed Water Resources Minister Susanta Borgohain and Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta to remain stationed in Dhemaji to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts.
