Farakka: For teacher Alpana Saha, the journey from Malda to Siliguri was supposed to be routine. She had booked a ticket on the Amrit Bharat Express and was waiting at Malda Town station. But nearly two hours passed, and there was still no sign of the train.
What troubled her more was the lack of clear information. She did not know where the train was or when it would reach the station.
“I have heard that many trains have already been cancelled. I understand that this train is being operated through an alternative route, but there is still no certainty about when it will arrive. I have to reach Siliguri because I work there. Even bus fares have doubled. I do not know what will happen,” Saha said.
Her uncertainty is being shared by hundreds of passengers caught in the disruption following subsidence beneath a section of railway track near New Farakka station, which has severely affected rail connectivity between North Bengal and South Bengal.
New Farakka Disruption Leaves Key Bengal Trains Cancelled
The railway authorities have cancelled, diverted or regulated several important long-distance trains as a safety measure following the incident.
Among the affected services are the Howrah–Guwahati Saraighat Express, Sealdah–Bamanhat Uttar Banga Express, Sealdah–Alipurduar Kanchankanya Express, Hate Bazare Express, Sealdah–Malda Town Gour Express, Sealdah–New Alipurduar Darjeeling Mail, Sealdah–Balurghat Express, Sealdah–New Alipurduar Padatik Express, Sealdah–Jalpaiguri Road Humsafar Express, Kolkata–Radhikapur Express, Jogbani Express and Howrah–Katihar Express, among others.
Some trains are being operated through alternative routes, including via Azimganj, while restoration work continues near the affected section.
Passengers Face Soaring Bus Fares as Rail Services Remain Uncertain
For passengers, the disruption has quickly turned into a struggle to find another way to reach their destinations.
Rail passenger Sudipta Dey was waiting at Malda Town to travel to Kolkata on the Haldibari Intercity Express when he learnt that the train was running late. With several services cancelled or affected, he began considering travelling by bus.
But the cost of that alternative came as another shock.
“The Kolkata journey is extremely important for me. When I tried to book a private bus, I was told that a ticket costing around ₹1,600–₹1,700 was now being offered for ₹2,500 to ₹3,000. This should not happen,” Dey said.
Similar complaints have come from passengers trying to travel towards Siliguri and other parts of North Bengal.
With trains disrupted, demand for buses has risen sharply. Both government and private bus services are under pressure as stranded passengers look for alternatives.
The state government and transport authorities have taken steps to increase bus services on key routes. Special and additional buses are being operated from Kolkata towards North Bengal, while free bus services have also been arranged for stranded rail passengers.
Authorities have also made arrangements to provide food and drinking water to passengers affected by the disruption.
When Will Train Services Between North and South Bengal Resume?
A railway employee on duty at Malda Town station confirmed that train services had been affected and said some trains were being diverted through Azimganj.
“At the moment, it is difficult to say exactly when the situation will return to normal. Work is underway. Every effort is being made to restore the line as quickly as possible,” the railway employee said.
He added that the incident appeared to be linked to a natural disruption and that restoration work was being carried out on a priority basis.
For thousands of passengers, however, the immediate question remains unanswered: when will normal train services between North and South Bengal resume?
Railway authorities are working to restore the affected section, but normal operations can resume only after the track is made safe and the necessary safety inspections are completed.
Until then, passengers remain caught between cancelled trains, uncertain schedules and increasingly expensive alternatives.
For Alpana Saha, the uncertainty is particularly difficult. She needs to reach Siliguri for work, but even after waiting at Malda Town station for hours, she still has no clear idea when her train will arrive.
The New Farakka disruption has therefore become more than a railway problem. It is affecting daily commuters, workers, students, tourists and families whose journeys between North and South Bengal have suddenly been thrown into uncertainty.
