Tiruchy: A major train mishap, involving the Mangalore express, was averted due to the timely detection of the presence of seven boulders – each weighing 7 kg on the railway track here on Sunday night. The Mangalore express was on way to Tiruchy railway junction at 9.54 pm. Before reaching the railway junction, the train was moving slowly along the track in Palakkarai goodshed area when the alert driver noticed seven big stones on the railway track.
The engine of the train by then hit one of the stones, official sources said. He stopped the train immediately and alerted the railway officials. On being informed, the government railway police, led by inspector Govindan, rushed to the spot and removed the boulders. The train reached Tiruchy at 10.55 pm and left for Chennai at 11.20 pm after a delay of about two hours.
Rockfort express, originally scheduled leave at 10.30 pm, also left for Chennai at 11.50 pm, after a delay of about 80 minutes, the sources said. On seeing the size of the boulders and the place where they were positioned, it appears to be a sabotage attempt, they said. The railway police have registered a case and are investigating. On the orders of railway SP Samson, a special team has been formed to investigate the incident.
