Protesting passengers halt local train at Guduvanchery railway station

Chennai: Suburban train services on Chengalpet-Tambaram stretch were affected for almost three hours on Thursday morning after scores of passengers squatted on the tracks at Guduvanchery railway station.

The protesting passengers alleged that Southern Railway has been regularly delaying suburban trains in the section. “All the EMU trains running between Chengalpet and Chennai Beach are regularly delayed. Due to this we are not able to reach office on time,” M. Mohan, a private employee, said.

Tension rose after more than 100 passengers waiting at Guduvanchery railway station for the Chengalpet- Chennai Beach (40520) suburban EMU train, started to protest after the train arrived late by around 8 am.

Railway officials, RPF and police officers tried to pacify the protesters. But the angry commuters refused to cease their protest and let the train go. Passengers withdrew the protest and dispersed at around 12 noon after railway officials assured timely operation of suburban trains hereafter.

At the same time, Southern Railway explained that train 40520 had halted at Kattangulathur for passage of Tirumalpur - Chennai Beach fast (40704) and again stopped at Guduvanchery for passage of Puducherry - Chennai Egmore Express (16116). “Passengers have protested against the stoppage of the train at two locations for other trains to cross,” the zonal railway said.

Due to the sudden protest at the railway station, services of five pairs of EMU trains between Chennai and Chengalpattu, and four express trains towards Chennai Egmore were affected. Three express trains going out of Chennai were also delayed by nearly two hours, Southern Railway said.