Services cut short, routes diverted; accident derails train schedule

The Uttarbanga Express, which runs between Sealdah and Bamanhat, will be short terminated at New Jalpaiguri

A derailed compartment of the Guwahati-bound train.: Biplab Basak

TT Bureau   |  Siliguri  |  14.01.22: The derailment of 15633 Guwahati-Bikaner Express near the New Domohoni station of Jalpaiguri district on Thursday late afternoon led to disruption in train movement between some parts of north Bengal and northeast with the rest of the country.

Due to the accident, the railways have decided to short terminate some trains and divert some trains.

The Uttarbanga Express, which runs between Sealdah and Bamanhat, will be short terminated at New Jalpaiguri, railway sources said.

Also, some other long distance trains like the Saraighat Express, Rajdhani Express and Avadh Assam Express, will be diverted through other routes.

"The accident occurred on the principal rail track that connects northeast with the rest of India... The second track along the route has not been affected due to the derailment as there is wider gap among both the tracks. However, ever since the accident has occurred, train movement has halted along the route," said a source in Northeast Frontier Railway. 

A source said, there are plans to divert some of the trains through the Dooars route – the alternative route via Dooars that connects Siliguri Junction with Alipurduar Junction to ensure that train movement doesn’t get completely affected along the section.

“Movement of trains is normal till New Jalpaiguri on the southern side and till New Alipurduar and New Cooch Behar stations, which are on the northern side of the accident site. But considering the number of trains which run through this route, it is obvious that trains will get delayed as the Dooars route is a single track route,” said a source in NFR.

Officials said relief and medical trains have been sent from New Jalpaiguri and New Alipurduar to the spot. “The track (the second track) would be ready for operations once the rescue ends. As of now, no trains are running on this route,” said an official.