Train operations on the critical Tinsukia-Dibrugarh route were severely disrupted for five hours early Sunday morning after an unauthorised, oversized trailer truck became stuck at a railway level crossing. The incident, which affected six trains, including the prestigious 12424 Rajdhani Express, left thousands of passengers stranded.
The blockage occurred at approximately 5.30 am at level crossing 21DD between Lahowal and Chaulkhowa. The trailer truck, reportedly hired by a private company working for Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan, attempted to cross the tracks without the required permissions, leading to it becoming wedged across the line.
Parag Katre, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Tinsukia, confirmed the lapse, stating, “An unauthorised over dimensional truck got stuck in between the railway track while trying to cross the railway line at Railway level crossing Gate Traffic 21DD.”
The incident immediately halted all rail traffic, affecting major services like the 15928 Tambaram Express and the 15946 Lokmanya Tilak Express.
To mitigate passenger inconvenience, Northeast Frontier Railway swiftly implemented relief measures. Help Desks were opened at Dibrugarh and New Tinsukia stations, and road vehicles were arranged to transport passengers to their final destinations.
“Refreshments – including food packets, tea, and bottled water – were distributed to passengers on all affected trains,” the DRM added.
The truck was finally cleared at 10.10 am. The driver has been arrested and the vehicle confiscated as the Railway initiates formal proceedings. NF Railway is also coordinating with OIL India Limited to ensure strict action against the contractual company to prevent recurrence of such dangerous, unauthorised crossings.
