Eastern Railway Faces Major Travel Disruption as New Farakka Land Subsidence Forces Train Cancellations

Written By: Utpol Mahato

Utpol Mahato

I am pursuing a career in travel journalism with Travel And Tour World, covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination developments. I focus on researching and reporting the latest trends in airlines, airports, travel experiences, tourism growth, and emerging destinations worldwide. Through accurate reporting and clear storytelling, I aim to provide valuable insights into the evolving travel industry and deliver informative stories to a global audience. My work highlights the trends, innovations, and opportunities shaping the future of international travel and tourism.

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September 5, 2026 2:52 AM

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East Railway zone has been severely affected by the subsidence of land near New Farakka in West Bengal. Passengers have been affected after several key trains have been canceled. Passengers traveling across Bengal and adjoining regions have been impacted. The railways have canceled several Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Express, Passenger and MEMU trains after the safety of the route was impacted. The concern has impacted the rail links of North Bengal, Kolkata, and Northeast India and Bihar, and passengers are now looking for alternative transportation.

The disruption affects several important rail corridors linking West Bengal with Bihar, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of eastern and northeastern India. High-demand services including the New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Shatabdi Express, Darjeeling Mail, Padatik Express, Kanchankanya Express and Saraighat Express are among the trains affected.

The cancellations have been introduced following the ground-related problem near New Farakka, a strategically important section of the railway network connecting northern parts of West Bengal and Northeast India with Kolkata and Howrah.

Major Trains Cancelled for Journeys Starting September 4

Passengers scheduled to travel on September 4 have been particularly affected, with Eastern Railway cancelling several prominent trains connecting North Bengal and other regions with the Kolkata metropolitan area.

The cancelled services include the 13170 Saharsa–Sealdah Hate Bazare Express, 13190 Balurghat–Sealdah Express, 13034 Katihar–Howrah Express, 12042 New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Shatabdi Express and 22302 New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express.

These services provide important connections for passengers travelling from northern West Bengal and adjoining states towards Howrah and Sealdah.

Other September 4 cancellations include the 13064 Balurghat–Howrah Express, 13150 Alipurduar–Sealdah Kanchankanya Express, 12344 Haldibari–Sealdah Darjeeling Mail and 12378 New Alipurduar–Sealdah Padatik Express.

The 13432 Balurghat–Nabadwip Dham Express and 13436 Gomtinagar–Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express have also been cancelled for journeys beginning on September 4.

The scale of the cancellations means passengers travelling from destinations such as New Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Haldibari, Balurghat, Katihar and Saharsa may need to reconsider their travel arrangements.

Local Passenger and MEMU Services Also Hit

The impact is not limited to major express trains. Several regional passenger and MEMU services have also been cancelled, potentially affecting daily commuters and passengers making shorter journeys.

The affected services include the 63031/63032 Azimganj–Katwa–Azimganj MEMU, 53055/53056 Katwa–Ahmedpur–Katwa passenger service and 63039/63040 Katwa–Ahmedpur–Katwa MEMU.

These cancellations broaden the disruption beyond long-distance travellers and may affect passengers who depend on regional rail services for routine journeys.

Travellers using these routes should check the operating status of their train before reaching the station because changes to one section of the railway network can affect connections elsewhere.

September 5 Cancellations Extend Disruption

Rail disruption will continue for journeys commencing on September 5, with another group of important trains removed from the operating schedule.

Among them is the 08048 Naharlagun–Santragachi Special, which provides connectivity towards West Bengal from Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast.

The 12346 Guwahati–Howrah Saraighat Express has also been cancelled. The train is an important long-distance connection between Assam and Howrah.

Other affected services include the 13148 Bamanhat–Sealdah Uttar Banga Express and 13150 Alipurduar–Sealdah Kanchankanya Express.

Several trains that were affected on September 4 will remain cancelled for journeys beginning the following day. These include the 12344 Haldibari–Sealdah Darjeeling Mail, 13190 Balurghat–Sealdah Express and 12378 New Alipurduar–Sealdah Padatik Express.

Humsafar, Teesta Torsa and Intercity Services Among Further Cancellations

The September 5 disruption also extends to several other services connecting northern and eastern India with Kolkata, Sealdah and Howrah.

The 13116 Jalpaiguri Road–Sealdah Humsafar Express and 13146 Radhikapur–Kolkata Express have been cancelled.

Eastern Railway has also cancelled the 13160 Jogbani–Kolkata Express, 13034 Katihar–Howrah Express and 13054 Radhikapur–Howrah Kulik Express for journeys commencing on September 5.

Passengers planning to use the 13162 Balurghat–Kolkata Tebhaga Express will also be affected.

The cancellation list further includes the 13142 New Alipurduar–Sealdah Teesta Torsa Express and 13012 Malda Town–Howrah Intercity Express.

Together, these changes create widespread disruption across routes used by passengers travelling between North Bengal, Kolkata, Howrah, Bihar and Northeast India.

Why New Farakka Disruption Has a Wider Rail Impact

New Farakka lies on an important railway corridor serving traffic between southern West Bengal, North Bengal and destinations farther north and east. Any infrastructure problem around this section can therefore affect trains operating across a much larger geographical area.

The latest cancellations demonstrate how a localised railway infrastructure issue can quickly influence long-distance operations.

Passengers heading towards Kolkata and Howrah from North Bengal are among those most directly affected, while services originating farther away in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar have also been included in the cancellation programme.

The impact is particularly notable because several of the affected trains are major daytime and overnight services used by business travellers, tourists, students and families.

What Passengers Should Do Before Travelling

Passengers booked on the affected routes should check the latest official train status before starting for the railway station. Train operating plans can change as infrastructure conditions are assessed and services are restored.

Travellers should also confirm whether connecting trains remain operational, particularly when their journey involves a change at Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, Howrah, Sealdah or another major junction.

Passengers with confirmed tickets on cancelled services should check the applicable railway refund arrangements through the channel used for booking.

Those who have urgent travel plans may also need to examine alternative trains or other transport options where available.

North Bengal–Kolkata Rail Connectivity Faces Major Short-Term Disruption

The land subsidence near New Farakka has created a significant short-term challenge for railway travel across West Bengal and adjoining regions. With Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Mail, Express, Humsafar, Intercity, passenger and MEMU services all appearing on the cancellation list, the impact extends across different categories of rail travellers.

The most important step for passengers is to avoid relying on an earlier timetable or booking confirmation alone. Travellers scheduled to move through the affected corridor on September 4 or September 5 should verify the latest official railway information before departure and allow additional time for alternative arrangements.

Eastern Railway has cancelled several large train services because the land subsidence near New Farakka West Bengal has affected the operation of multiple Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Express and Passenger trains along key routes.