MAYILADUTHURAI: Train services on the Tiruchy-Chennai mainline was severely affected following the derailment of a pair of wheels of the train engine of the Coimbatore- Mayiladuthurai Janshatabdi Express while entering Mayilaaduthurai station on Sunday.
Railway sources told DC that thanks to the timely alertness of the engine pilots, Ajaikumar and Pandiyaraj, a major train mishap was averted and none of the passengers were injured. However, more than ten sleepers and a portion of the rail were damaged, sources said.
The passengers got down from the train and reached Mayiladuthurai station by walking through the railway line. Several trains passing through the main line were regulated at several destinations and works are underway to re-rail the derailed engine, the sources added.
Consequent to the derailment of the Coimbatore Mayiladuthurai Janshatabdi Express, the Mayiladuthurai Coimbatore Janshatabdi Express commenced its journey from Kuttralam. Necessary road transportation of reserved passengers from Mayiladuthurai to Kuttralam has been arranged, the sources added.
A Railway release said at Tiruchy that due to the derailment, the Mayiladuthurai Coimbatore Janshatabdi Express departed from Kuttralam at 17.15 hrs and would arrive at Tiruchchirappalli at 19.00 hrs, while train number 16231 Mayiladuthurai-Mysore Express will start from Kuttralam instead of Mayiladuthruai as per schedule. Road transportation for passengers from Mayiladuthurai to Kuttralam has been arranged.
The train number 16861 Puducherry-Kanniyakumari Express has been diverted via Tiruvarur instead of Kumbakonam.
The train will run via Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur instead of Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur, it added.
