Botched NHAI repairs trigger landslide, snap Haflong–Silchar connectivity

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 23, 2025

Connectivity between Haflong and Silchar has come to a grinding halt after a landslide near the Jatinga-Lampur stretch disrupted both rail and road routes. Triggered by ongoing roadwork, the landslide forced the suspension of train services on the Lumding–Badarpur hill section and led to a complete ban on vehicular movement along National Highway 27.

Officials confirmed that construction work undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) caused the collapse of a slope situated between the highway and an adjacent railway line. The failed slope sent soil and debris sliding toward the tracks, while water runoff from the road flowed directly onto the railway line. Rail operations were halted on Monday evening as a safety measure.

Northeast Frontier Railway’s Lumding Division has sharply criticized NHAI for the incident and called for immediate action to stabilize the area. The division has asked NHAI to deploy technical teams and machinery to prevent further erosion and ensure the safety of this critical transportation corridor.

Debris removal has already begun, but the damage has caused widespread disruptions to train services.

Trains cancelled on June 23:

Guwahati–Silchar Express

Rangiya–Silchar Express

Guwahati–Dullabcherra Express

Silchar–Rangiya Express

Cancelled on June 24:

Dullabcherra–Guwahati Express

Naharlagun–Silchar Special

Trains short-terminated due to route suspension:

Silchar–Naharlagun Special at New Harangajao

Charlapalli–Silchar Express at Lumding

Kolkata–Agartala Garib Rath Express at Guwahati

Agartala–Anand Vihar Tejas Express at Badarpur

Lokmanya Tilak–Agartala Express at Guwahati

Sealdah–Silchar Kanchanjungha Express at Lumding

In response to the situation, the Dima Hasao District Administration has invoked Section 34(C) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to restrict all vehicle movement between Haflong and Silchar. Officials cited ongoing slope instability and warned that alternate routes are currently unsafe.

Authorities have directed NHAI and railway engineers to conduct a detailed assessment and initiate landslide mitigation measures. While restoration work is underway, there is no official estimate yet on when normal rail and road traffic will resume. Travellers have been advised to stay updated through official bulletins and avoid the route until further notice.