Lumding-Badarpur hill railway, Haflong: History, highlights and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Lumding-Badarpur hill railway

One account says the British completed the Lumding-Badarpur hill line in December 1903 through a series of tunnels and bridges, after about 11 years of work. The line was originally metre gauge, with the Hill Queen Express running between Lumding and Haflong, until conversion to broad gauge.

In 2022, heavy rain flooded New Haflong station and derailed a parked train. In June 2026, NFR reported energising a 132 kV line to the New Haflong traction sub-station, with electric operation expected after testing.

Useful facts

Lumding-Badarpur hill railway facts at a glance

Location

New Haflong station (NHLG), Dima Hasao

Experience type

Scenic hill railway journey

Known for

Tunnels, bridges and ridges on the Lumding-Badarpur section

Built

British period; one account says completed 1903

Time or schedule

Check current timetable and running status

Why it matters

Why Lumding-Badarpur hill railway is worth your time

Haflong exists as a station on a remarkable piece of railway. The Lumding-Badarpur line was built by the British through some of the most difficult country in the northeast, and one account says it was completed in December 1903. It remains the main rail link between the Barak Valley, parts of the northeast and the rest of India.

Riding it shows you the hills in a way a car cannot, with tunnels, gorges and ridges unfolding slowly. It also shows the district's present: gauge conversion, planned electrification and the ongoing work of keeping a line open through landslide country. For a traveller, it is both a transport option and a way of seeing the geography that shaped Haflong.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   Tunnels and ridges

   The line threads through hills in a long series of tunnels and bridges.

2. 02

   A direct link

   Trains calling at New Haflong connect the town with Guwahati and Silchar.

3. 03

   A line in transition

   Gauge conversion is done and electrification was reported near completion in mid-2026.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Choose a daylight train and a window seat, and decide which stretch you want. New Haflong station, code NHLG, sits on the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, and trains calling there link Haflong with Guwahati, Silchar and further afield. Ride one stretch, perhaps towards Maibang or Lumding, and return by road or the next suitable train.

The line passes through tunnels, over bridges and along ridges, so keep a camera ready but accept that the light flips quickly between bright and dark. Carry water and snacks, since onboard catering on hill passenger trains can be limited.

Plan for slack. The section is a single line through steep country, and landslides and heavy rain have interrupted it in past years. Have a flexible return plan, and check the running status the same morning. In 2026, NFR reported that electrification works were nearing completion on the section, so services may be changing.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

New Haflong station and the Lumding-Badarpur hill section

Time needed

A few hours to a full day depending on the stretch

Best time

Daylight services from November to March

Walking level

Easy

Senior comfort

Seats are the main comfort concern: carry cushions, snacks and water, and book the best class you can. Platforms at hill stations can be uneven and the line runs through many tunnels, so keep luggage manageable and allow extra time.

Tickets and access

Book through Indian Railways; fares and timetables are not listed here. Services have changed since the line was converted to broad gauge, so check the current train list and running status before you commit.

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