Heavy riverbank erosion caused by the Ganga River has posed a serious threat to the railway infrastructure in Jharkhand's Sahibganj district. The alarming situation emerged along the Sahibganj-Barharwa section under the Malda division of Eastern Railway. Near the Jhunjhari bridge, located between the Maharajpur and Sakrigali stations, river erosion intensified sharply on Tuesday afternoon, leading to a sudden cave-in of soil adjacent to pole number 219/32 on the down line. The river waters advanced rapidly, reaching a precarious distance of approximately 15 metres from the tracks, prompting rail authorities to initiate urgent defensive measures and adjust train operations.
Emergency Reinforcement Operations Underway to Protect Tracks
Following the immediate detection of the subsidence, emergency railway maintenance teams were dispatched to the site without delay. Workers immediately launched counter-erosion measures along the vulnerable embankment to halt further collapse. Railway personnel began filling the eroded depression and flanking slopes with stone boulders, ballast, stone dust, and related engineering materials to stabilise the ground. Specialized crews remain stationed along the embankment to continuously track the current and prevent rushing waters from washing away the supporting base of the permanent way.
Passenger Trains Cancelled and Short-Terminated at Sahibganj
Due to the direct risk to the rail line, authorities suspended or altered several train services running along this corridor. The Sahibganj-Rampurhat down passenger train numbered 63406 was cancelled completely. Additionally, the Jamalpur-Rampurhat down passenger train numbered 53408 was short-terminated at Sahibganj instead of continuing its scheduled run all the way to Rampurhat. Passengers experienced prolonged disruption around 5:00 PM at Sahibganj station, where a Rampurhat-bound local train was halted at platform number three for roughly an hour and a half before being permitted to move, causing significant inconvenience to daily commuters.
Route Diversions for Bhagalpur Services as Senior Officers Monitor Site
As an added precautionary measure, multiple trains heading towards Sahibganj from Bhagalpur were rerouted to prevent overcrowding and strain along the affected line. Maharajpur station manager Amarjit Kumar stated that as soon as the soil sinking near pole number 219/32 came to light, senior railway officials were alerted, leading to the rapid deployment of rescue teams and track-protection material. Railway authorities continue round-the-clock surveillance over the section, with the Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Malda alongside senior officials expected to conduct on-site inspections at Maharajpur. The top priority remains preventing structural compromise to the railway lines and ensuring complete travel safety.
