Baripada: Train services on the Baripada-Bangiriposi route under Bangriposi “Rupsa Section in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district were suspended for nearly 24 hours after soil under the railway tracks was washed away due to a heavy rain-induced landslide, officials said Monday.
The earth and concrete under around 50 metres of railway track were washed away as the rainwater passed through the area. The incident took place near Sunagadia in the Station Bazar area.
Repair work has started on the route to resume train services which were suspended since Sunday night.
“Due to heavy and continuous rainfall, a bank slip occurred between Bhanjpur and Betnoti, resulting in washing away of a portion of the soil beneath the railway track. Kharagpur Division immediately assessed the situation, and urgent restoration measures have been initiated to ensure the safety and stability of the railway track,” the South Eastern Railway said in a statement.
The damage to the track was detected during the movement of a DMU train late Sunday night, after the Puri-Bangiriposi Superfast Express had passed through the section.
Train movements on the route were suspended since Sunday night, the official said.
Railway maintenance personnel have started repair work. Workers have been restoring the site since midnight on a war footing.
Priority is being given to reinforcing the affected area and strengthening the nearby formation to prevent any further soil erosion, the railway said.
DRM Kharagpur, Lalit Mohan Pandey, visited the affected site and reviewed the ongoing restoration work.
Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing maintenance work in the Rupsa “Bangriposi section, at least five MEMU/local train services scheduled August 17 have been cancelled to ensure safe and smooth train operations.
This apart, Shalimar “Bhanjpur Express and Bhanjpur “Shalimar Express have been short-originated at Rupsa, the railway said.