Tue Sep 20 2011, 00:52 hrs
While the impact of Sunday evening’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake is yet to be fully assessed, the movement of trains on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) — a World Heritage Site — has come to a total halt due to landslides at several places.
“Landslides have blocked the railway track at numerous places on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It will take at least three days to find out the exact position and resume train services to Darjeeling,” Situsing Hajong, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, said here on Monday.
Built between 1879 and 1881, the 86-km long narrow gauge track from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling rises from 100 m above sea level to 2,200 m.
The authorities are expecting to run trains between Darjeeling and Ghoom by Thursday.
The NF Railway authorities have also restricted train speed in western Assam and North Bengal, suspecting damage to the tracks.
Speed has been restricted to less than 30 km in three bridges where the impact of the earthquake is yet to be assessed. These three bridges are located between Salakati-Basugaon, Siliguri-Bagdogra and Newmal-Chalsa stations, Hajong said.
PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia to next of kin of those killed in the earthquake and Rs 1 lakh each for those seriously injured.
Another quake of 4.3 magnitude hits NE
SHILLONG: An earthquake of 4.3 magnitude on the Richter Scale shook parts of Meghalaya on Monday, the seismic observatory here said. The mild intensity quake was recorded at 12.52 am and its epicentre was located along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border, officials at the observatory said.
Mild tremors in Maharashtra
PUNE: Parts of Latur and Parbhani districts of Maharashtra on Monday experienced mild tremors, measuring 3.9 on the Richter Scale, said the meteorological department here. The tremors were felt early in the morning in some parts of Osmanabad and Solapur districts.
Mild quake felt in Karnataka
Gulbarga: A mild earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale on Monday hit Aland and surrounding areas in Karnataka’s Gulbagra district, officials said. The tremors, which lasted for a few seconds, were experienced at 6:30 am.
Malda jail develops 117 cracks
Malda (WB): The century-old Malda jail in West Bengal has developed 117 cracks due to the powerful earthquake that hit north and eastern region. “The cracks were noticed in the boundary wall and cells of the jail,” said Jail Minister Shankar Chakrabarty. There was, however, no need for immediate shifting of theprisoners, he said.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Darjeeling--Landslides-hit-toy-train-services/848964/
While the impact of Sunday evening’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake is yet to be fully assessed, the movement of trains on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) — a World Heritage Site — has come to a total halt due to landslides at several places.
“Landslides have blocked the railway track at numerous places on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It will take at least three days to find out the exact position and resume train services to Darjeeling,” Situsing Hajong, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, said here on Monday.
Built between 1879 and 1881, the 86-km long narrow gauge track from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling rises from 100 m above sea level to 2,200 m.
The authorities are expecting to run trains between Darjeeling and Ghoom by Thursday.
The NF Railway authorities have also restricted train speed in western Assam and North Bengal, suspecting damage to the tracks.
Speed has been restricted to less than 30 km in three bridges where the impact of the earthquake is yet to be assessed. These three bridges are located between Salakati-Basugaon, Siliguri-Bagdogra and Newmal-Chalsa stations, Hajong said.
PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia to next of kin of those killed in the earthquake and Rs 1 lakh each for those seriously injured.
Another quake of 4.3 magnitude hits NE
SHILLONG: An earthquake of 4.3 magnitude on the Richter Scale shook parts of Meghalaya on Monday, the seismic observatory here said. The mild intensity quake was recorded at 12.52 am and its epicentre was located along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border, officials at the observatory said.
Mild tremors in Maharashtra
PUNE: Parts of Latur and Parbhani districts of Maharashtra on Monday experienced mild tremors, measuring 3.9 on the Richter Scale, said the meteorological department here. The tremors were felt early in the morning in some parts of Osmanabad and Solapur districts.
Mild quake felt in Karnataka
Gulbarga: A mild earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale on Monday hit Aland and surrounding areas in Karnataka’s Gulbagra district, officials said. The tremors, which lasted for a few seconds, were experienced at 6:30 am.
Malda jail develops 117 cracks
Malda (WB): The century-old Malda jail in West Bengal has developed 117 cracks due to the powerful earthquake that hit north and eastern region. “The cracks were noticed in the boundary wall and cells of the jail,” said Jail Minister Shankar Chakrabarty. There was, however, no need for immediate shifting of theprisoners, he said.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Darjeeling--Landslides-hit-toy-train-services/848964/