Dumka: Train services on the Barharwa-Sahibganj rail section were disrupted from Tuesday after Ganga erosion near Jhunjhri bridge caused soil subsidence close to the tracks between Maharajpur and Sakrigali under Eastern Railway’s Malda division.Railway officials said erosion intensified near pole number 219/32 on the down line, with Ganga water reaching about 20 metres from the tracks. Emergency anti-erosion and restoration work was taken up immediately, with teams using boulders, stone chips and other materials to stabilise the affected stretch.Maharajpur station manager Amarjeet Kumar said railway authorities were alerted soon after soil was found sinking near the tracks. “Information about the soil subsidence was received on Tuesday afternoon. Railway teams reached the spot and started repair and anti-erosion work by placing boulders, stone chips and other materials to stabilise the affected portion,” Kumar said.Several trains were cancelled, diverted or short-terminated as a precaution. The Sahibganj-Rampurhat passenger (63406) was cancelled, while the Jamalpur-Rampurhat passenger (53408) was terminated at Sahibganj. The Gaya-Howrah Express (13024), Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express (13404) and Jamalpur-Howrah Express (13072) were diverted via Dumka. The Delhi-Kamakhya Brahmaputra Mail (15657) and Farrakka Express (15744) were diverted through the Jamalpur-Munger-Katihar route.The Rampurhat-Sahibganj passenger (63073) and Sahibganj-Rampurhat passenger (63406) were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Sahibganj-Rampurhat passenger (63074) and Sahibganj-Howrah Intercity Express (13428), scheduled for Wednesday, were also cancelled.The Kiul-Malda Town train (13410) and Jamalpur-Rampurhat passenger were stopped at Sahibganj on Tuesday. A Sahibganj-Rampurhat local was detained at platform number 3 from around 5 pm, leaving passengers waiting for nearly 90 minutes.Malda ADRM Amarendra Kumar Maurya and other officials visited Maharajpur station to assess the situation. Officials said operations on the section would depend on track safety clearance after the affected bank is secured.
