Heavy rainfall and severe gale-force winds in Koraput district have inflicted major structural damage on the region’s railway network, leaving key track sections near Maliguda and Chhatriput buried under mud and earth.
The adverse weather also led to the dramatic collapse of a heavy-duty high-voltage power transmission tower directly onto the railway corridor.
Soil Erosion and Infrastructure Damage
Torrential downpours washed away soil foundations along the slopes of the Maliguda-Chhatriput route, causing the tracks to sink and prompting multiple landslides. Along with several uprooted utility poles, a massive electrical transmission tower near Maliguda station buckled under the wind and shifting terrain before crashing down across the rail line.
DRM Oversight and Emergency Passenger Relief
Rayagada Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Amitabh Singhal reached the site late Friday night to inspect the destruction personally and steer the ongoing clearing operations. Restoration crews continue to work under challenging conditions to clear debris and reconstruct the damaged track bed.
To mitigate severe commuter inconvenience, the Railway Administration has taken immediate operational steps:
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Cancelled Train Services:
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Kirandul–Visakhapatnam Express
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Kirandul–Visakhapatnam Passenger
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Raurkela–Jagdalpur Intercity Express
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Short-Terminated Services:
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Two incoming trains will terminate early, running only as far as Koraput station.
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Significant Delays:
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The Hirakhand Express reached Koraput station nearly 8 hours late at 4:10 PM due to route blockages.
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Emergency Bus Transit:
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To assist stranded passengers, the Railway Department arranged free special bus services operating from Koraput toward Jeypore and Jagdalpur.
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Restoration Timeline
Officials indicated that given the extent of soil erosion and structural repair required, fully restoring normal train operations on this stretch will take time. Further updates regarding route clearances and rescheduled services will be issued as restoration work nears completion.
