14520 KISAN EXPRESS

Massive landslides and water logging at several locations due to heavy rains in Lumding - Badarpur hill section in Assam under Lumding division of Northeast Frontier Railwayresulted in huge damages to the railway track, bridges, road and communication network in this hilly terrain early this week.

N. F. Railway had geared up its entire machinery and controlled train services over the affected sectiondue to this serious condition. However, two trains got stranded in these flash floods at Ditokcherra station and at New Haflong station. Railway Administration initiated and successfully completed a massive evacuation operationwith the help of Air Force, The Railway Protection Force (RPF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Assam Rifles and local administration.

But another big challenge was to find some solution for total break-down of mobile services of all mobile operators in the affected areas which left passengers and railway administration isolated from the world. Passengers were unable to communicate with their relatives and families about their well-being causing unrest and anxiety to them.

In this difficult situation the free Wi-Fi facility already available at Railway stations provided by RailTel Corporation proved very useful in providing connectivity. Local RailTel staff rose to the occasion working shoulder to shoulder with N. F. Railway administration and made special arrangements for passengers to use station Wi-Fi to contact their families. The Railway Administration also used this connectivity facility for organising relief and rescue operation effectively. This special arrangement was done by temporarily suspending the requirement of OTP o­n the mobile phone of a user, as required under standard procedure for authentication purpose as mobile services were down in that area.

This connectivity was provided at – Ditokcherra, New Harangajao & New Halflong stations all in Dima Hasao District and Damcherra station in Cachar District in Assam falling under Lumding division of N. F. Railway.

Different departments, local people and person involved in evacuation of stranded passenger used this free facility during the crisis period. The users of this facility were quite appreciative of Railways and felt satisfied.