Protest in Delhi Demands Direct Train to Hailakandi, Rail Route Expansion

Protesters from Barak Valley and Tripura, under the Silchar-Lumding Broadgauge Rupayan Sangram Committee, staged a three-hour demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding a direct train from Guwahati to Bairabi (Mizoram) via Hailakandi and the Chandranathpur-Lanka rail project. Committee convenor Sushil Paul accused NF Railway of neglect, forcing passengers to travel via Badarpur at high costs. A 12-hour bandh in Hailakandi is set for April 8. Paul also alleged poor-quality railway construction, citing the 2023 Mizoram bridge collapse. Protesters vowed to intensify their movement until demands are met.