Commuters demand rollback of afternoon departure timing, cite loss of day-return travel convenience
A wave of protests has erupted in Hailakandi following the Northeast Frontier Railway’s decision to reschedule the 55669 Silchar–Sairang passenger train, with commuters and civic groups demanding an immediate reversal to the earlier timetable.
The controversy centers on the new schedule implemented on February 18, nine days after its initial announcement on February 9. Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Suklabaidya received a memorandum on behalf of Hailakandi district residents on February 18, outlining how the revised timing has disrupted daily travel patterns across Barak Valley.
Under the Lumding division’s new timetable, train 55669 now departs Silchar at 1:15 PM—a stark departure from its previous 6:00 AM slot. The train arrives at Hailakandi at 2:51 PM and concludes its journey at Sairang at 6.45 PM, stopping at Arunachal, Bhaga, Katakhal Junction, Chandpur, Manipur Road, Lalabazar, Monachhara, and Katlicherra en route.
The service now operates five days weekly—Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Its counterpart, the 55670 Sairang–Silchar train, runs four days a week (Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday), departing Sairang in the morning and reaching Silchar at 12:02 PM after passing through Hortoki, Bairabi, Ramnagar, Manipur Bagan, Katlicherra, Lalabazar Monachhara, Hailakandi (10:57 AM), Algapur, Karimganj Junction, and Badarpur Junction. Both trains feature six coaches comprising general and second-class seating.
Rafiqul Islam, addressing media representatives alongside Sunil Paul, Madhab Kar, Samujal Barua, and others, articulated the community’s frustration. “Passengers from Hailakandi and surrounding areas could previously board the early morning train, complete their business in Silchar, and return the same day,” he explained. “The 1:15 PM departure eliminates that possibility entirely.”
The Silchar–Sairang Passenger Welfare Association, student organizations, and local committees jointly organized the demonstration, arguing that railway authorities finalized the schedule without consulting stakeholders or considering passenger needs.
Islam warned of escalating protests if officials fail to respond. “We’ve been forced onto the streets because this unilateral decision serves no practical purpose,” he said, adding that memorandums will be forwarded to the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding division, the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, the local MP, and other relevant authorities.
Protesters maintain that despite repeated appeals, the railway administration has yet to provide a satisfactory response. They’ve characterized the afternoon departure as fundamentally incompatible with commuter requirements and emphasized that only a return to the morning schedule will address their concerns.
The standoff has introduced fresh tension to transportation politics in Barak Valley, with civic leaders promising sustained agitation until their demands receive serious consideration from railway officials.