RailTel wi-fi provides connectivity to stranded passengers in flood-hit Assam

New Delhi: Inclement weather and incessant rain led to cause massive landslides and waterlogging at several locations in Lumding, Badarpur hill section in Assam falling under the Lumding Railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway. Massive landslides and the water logging resulted in huge damages to the railway track, bridges, road and communication network in this hilly terrain early this week.

NFR Railway zone had geared up its entire machinery and controlled train services over the affected section due to this serious condition. However, two trains got stranded in these flash floods each with about 1400 passengers – one Train No. 15616 Silchar – Guwahati express at Ditokcherra station (District: Dima Hasao, Assam) and another Train No. 15615 Guwahati – Silchar express at New Haflong station (District: Dima Hasao, Assam). Railway Administration initiated massive evacuation operation with the help of Air Force, The Railway Protection Force (RPF) National Disaster Response Force. (NDRF), Assam Rifles and local people.

But another big challenge was to find some solution for the total breakdown of mobile services of all mobile operators in the affected area which left passengers and railway administration isolated from the world. Passengers were unable to communicate with their relatives and families about their well-being causing unrest and anxiety to them.

In this difficult situation, the Wi-Fi facility already available at Railway stations provided by RailTel Corporation proved very useful in providing connectivity. Local RailTel staff rose to the occasion working shoulder to shoulder with NFR administration and making special arrangements for passengers to use station Wi-Fi to contact their families. The Railway Administration also used this connectivity facility for organising relief and rescue operations effectively. This special arrangement was done by temporarily suspending the requirement of OTP on the mobile phone of a user, as required under the standard procedure for authentication purposes as mobile services were down in that area.

This connectivity was provided at – Ditokcherra, New Harangajao, New Halflong all in Dima Hasao District, Damcherra in Cachar District in Assam falling under Lumding divison of NFR.

The users of this facility were quite appreciative of Railways and felt satisfied.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News center that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)