Indian Railways lifts all speed restrictions on the Jamalpur Bhagalpur section

Train operations on the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur section are returning to normalcy as rail authorities are fully removing all speed restrictions starting Saturday following a consistent decline in the water level of the Ganges River. Railway authorities previously imposed these safety precautions due to heavy floodwater pressure on railway bridges.

Key updates on the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur rail route:
- Speed restrictions are fully lifted starting Saturday.
- The decision follows a comprehensive inspection confirming the bridges, pillars, and approach tracks are secure.
- Previous speed limits were 30 kilometers per hour where water touched bridge girders, and 20 to 30 kilometers per hour in early September.
- Limits were gradually raised to 50 and then 70 kilometers per hour by Friday as water receded.
- Malda Division DRM Manish Kumar Gupta ensured 24-hour monitoring and patrolling during the flood.
- Trains can now operate at their scheduled sectional speed of 110 kilometers per hour.

Background on the Flood Safety Measures

Over the past fortnight, rising water levels forced the railway to limit train speeds at sensitive locations. Affected sections included Ratanpur-Bariarpur, Kalyanpur-Sultanganj, and Sabour-Lailakh-Mamalkha. Malda Railway Division PRO Sukant Mandal confirmed that the final report cleared the route for unrestricted movement after a comprehensive inspection by the engineering department.

Relief for Passengers and Long-Distance Trains

The removal of these speed cautions is expected to significantly reduce delays for long-distance trains, many of which were running two to three hours behind schedule. While normal operations resume, the railway will continue to closely monitor water levels and the structural condition of the rail bridges moving forward to ensure passenger safety.