Train Services Expected to Resume on New Farakka Line by Evening

Railway officials in West Bengal confirmed that the New Farakka line, which suffered a landslide‑induced blockage, will likely see regular train movements by Saturday evening. The line, vital for connecting the southern and northern regions of the state, had been offline for several days, causing widespread cancellations and route changes.

Work began on Thursday under emergency provisions, but persistent rainfall kept the ground unstable, slowing the pace of repairs. After the rain stopped on Friday night, engineers were able to complete the track replacement and reinforcement work by early Saturday. A trial run commenced shortly thereafter, showing positive results.

The successful test run has been hailed as a relief for passengers who faced disrupted travel plans and for private bus operators who experienced a surge in demand and fare hikes—from the usual ₹1,500 to as much as ₹5,000‑₹6,000. Railway staff marked the accomplishment with a chant of “Jai Bharat Mata,” expressing confidence that full service will resume as scheduled.