Train operations remained affected for the fifth day due to erosion in the Ganga embankment on the Bhagalpur-Sahibganj railway section. Operations on the down line are closed, while trains are running at limited speed on the up line and routes of many trains have been changed.
Bhagalpur: Train services on the Sahibganj-Barharwa railway section remained affected for the fifth day due to erosion in the Ganga embankment between Sakrigali and Maharajpur stations. The operation of passenger and goods trains has been stopped on the down line, while trains are being run at limited speed on the up line. Railway teams are working 24 hours in repair and restoration work.
Railway operations affected due to erosion in Ganga embankment
Rail traffic has been affected after erosion in the embankment of river Ganga between Sakrigali and Maharajpur stations of Sahibganj-Barharwa railway section. The situation could not become normal even on Sunday and passengers had to face problems for the fifth consecutive day.
The operation of goods trains along with passenger trains on the down line has been completely stopped. At the same time, trains are being run at limited speed on the up line. Due to this, passengers traveling from Jamalpur-Sahibganj-Barharwa railway section are facing difficulty in reaching their destination.
A large number of railway officers and employees have been deployed on the affected railway section. Railway teams are busy completing the restoration work in the affected area expeditiously. Officers and employees are working round the clock, so that normal railway operations can be restored as soon as possible.
Changed routes of these trains
Due to embankment erosion, the scheduled routes of many trains have been changed on Sunday. The journey of 13024 Gaya-Howrah Express commencing on October 4 will be diverted via Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol. Similarly, the journey of 03030 Natesar-Howrah special starting on October 4 will also operate via Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol.
The journeys of 13404 Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express and 13072 Jamalpur-Howrah Express commencing on October 4 will be diverted via Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat.
Due to changes in the route, passengers traveling by these trains will have to take additional time into account as per their travel schedule.
Short termination of many trains
Due to the railway section being affected, some trains are being terminated before their scheduled destination. The journey of 53029 Azimganj-Bhagalpur Passenger on 4th October will be short terminated at Barharwa. The journey of 13410 Kiul-Malda Town Intercity Express will be short terminated at Sahibganj.
Similarly, the journey of 63063 Bardhaman-Sahibganj MEMU on October 4 will be short terminated at Tinpahar. Whereas, the journey of 13409 Malda Town-Kiul Intercity Express will start from Sahibganj on 4th October.
The journey of 53403 Rampurhat-Gaya passenger starting on 5th October will be short origin from Jamalpur. The journey of 53030 Bhagalpur-Azimganj Passenger will start from Barharwa on 5th October. The journey of 63064 Sahibganj-Bardhaman MEMU starting on 4th October will start from Tinpahar.
Alternative train service for passengers
Some special operations are also being conducted by the Railways for the convenience of the passengers. Two Sahibganj-Bhagalpur passenger trains will depart from Sahibganj at 9:30 am and 5:00 pm and will return on October 4. Apart from this, one Bhagalpur-Sahibganj passenger special train will depart from Bhagalpur at 10:00 am and return on October 4.
Railway teams are engaged in restoration work at the affected site. At present, passengers have been advised to get information about the route and operating status of their train before traveling by train. Changes in the routes, originating and terminating stations of trains may continue until normal operations are restored.