Guwahati, April 28 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway has implemented a series of strategic preparedness measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the four-month-long monsoon season (June to September), officials said on Tuesday.
Northeast Frontier Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that, given the region’s susceptibility to heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding, stationary watchmen have been strategically deployed at vulnerable locations to continuously monitor track conditions and raise immediate alerts if any danger is detected.
Washout-prone and flood-sensitive areas have been reinforced through embankment strengthening, improved drainage systems, and clearing of natural water flow channels, he said.
Sharma said that, in addition, water-level measuring gauges have been installed at critical points, particularly in hill sections, to monitor rising water levels in real time.
To enable swift response during emergencies, Northeast Frontier Railway has stationed relief materials such as boulders, sandbags, and wire mesh at key locations.
The official said that “Emergency on Wheels” trains are fully equipped and kept ready with technical staff and essential tools to respond promptly to any situation.
Rapid Response Teams have also been constituted across all divisions to address incidents such as landslides, track washouts, and waterlogging with minimal delay.
According to the Chief Public Relations Officer, these teams are trained to restore normal operations quickly, minimising disruption to passenger and freight services.
As part of monsoon preparedness for 2026, substantial quantities of materials have been strategically stocked across all divisions.
Lumding Division has about 10,000 — 12,000 cubic metres of boulders and 2,000 – 3,000 cubic metres of sand/quarry dust, along with over 40,000 cement bags, while Tinsukia Division has around 400–600 cubic metres of boulders, 100–150 cubic metres of sand/quarry dust, and over 7,000 cement bags.
Rangiya Division has stocked approximately 6,000–8,000 cubic metres of boulders and over 1,000 cubic metres of sand/quarry dust, with more than 5,000 cement bags.
Alipurduar Division has over 20,000 cubic metres of boulders, along with significant quantities of other materials, and Katihar Division has around 3,000–5,000 cubic metres of boulders, 800–1,200 cubic metres of sand/quarry dust, and over 20,000 cement bags.
Overall, adequate stock is available across all divisions, with minor deficiencies being recouped to ensure full preparedness for the monsoon season.
In addition, various capacities of winch crabs, jacks, tirfors, and tripods are available across all divisions, ensuring readiness for rescue or recovery operations.
Furthermore, Northeast Frontier Railway is working closely with the India Meteorological Department to receive real-time weather alerts and forecasts.
This coordination helps railway control rooms, which are operational 24×7, to make proactive decisions regarding train movements and field deployment.
Passengers are advised to stay updated through official communication channels and cooperate with railway authorities.
With these comprehensive measures in place, Northeast Frontier Railway remains fully committed to ensuring safety, operational efficiency, and passenger convenience throughout the monsoon season, Sharma stated.
During every monsoon season, railway infrastructure is disrupted, affecting rail connectivity among various Northeastern states.
–IANS
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