RPF personnel inspect a passenger as part of its security arrangement ahead of Independence Day. (Photo Courtesy: NFR)
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Maligaon, August 14 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has strengthened security arrangements across the zone ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations to ensure the safety of passengers, trains and railway property.
Heightened vigil is being maintained at railway stations, on-board trains and across railway premises, with RPF personnel undertaking extensive patrolling and surveillance. Additional attention is being given to sensitive and vulnerable locations to prevent any untoward incident and ensure a safe travel environment during the Independence Day period.
As part of the intensified measures, comprehensive checking and frisking drives are being conducted at railway stations and on-board trains, covering passenger areas, waiting halls, platforms, circulating areas and other strategic locations.
RPF teams, assisted by trained sniffer dogs, are conducting thorough checks of passenger luggage, unattended articles and sensitive areas. Security personnel have been strategically deployed at important locations, while regular public announcements are being made to sensitise passengers and urge them to immediately report any suspicious person, object or activity to railway authorities.
NFR said its RPF personnel across the zone have been directed to remain on heightened alert and maintain close coordination with other security and law-enforcement agencies wherever required.
Passengers have also been requested to remain vigilant, refrain from accepting articles from unknown persons and cooperate with security personnel during checking to ensure safe, secure and hassle-free railway journeys.
Train services affected by track restoration
Meanwhile, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said restoration work on the railway tracks near New Harangajao station is progressing, even as train services on the Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section are being operated through a single line—Line-3—with enhanced safety protocols.
In view of the ongoing restoration following settlement issues on Line-1 and Line-2, the NFR has announced cancellation of four express trains and rescheduling of eight others with revised departure timings.
The cancelled trains include Guwahati-Dullabcherra Express (15617) and Guwahati-Silchar Express (15615) scheduled for August 15, as well as their return journeys—Dullabcherra-Guwahati Express (15618) and Silchar-Guwahati Express (15616)—scheduled for August 16.
Among the rescheduled services, Train No. 15650 (Narangi-Agartala) will now depart at 2230 hrs on August 15, while Train No. 15649 (Agartala-Narangi) will leave at 2330 hrs the same day. Train No. 15609 (Guwahati-Sairang) and Train No. 15611 (Rangiya-Silchar) have both been rescheduled to depart at 2330 hrs on August 15, while Train No. 15610 (Sairang-Guwahati) will leave at 2130 hrs.
Train No. 15626 (Agartala-Deoghar) will depart at 2300 hrs on August 15. Train No. 15612 (Silchar-Rangiya) and Train No. 15641 (Silchar-New Tinsukia) have been rescheduled to depart at 0500 hrs and 0410 hrs, respectively, on August 16.
The NFR has assured that all restoration work is being executed while maintaining train operations through Line-3, with additional safety measures in place to ensure smooth movement of passengers and freight. Further updates will be issued as the situation evolves, the railway authority added.
