CHENNAI: A Chennai-bound Howrah train was delayed while the Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) cancelled two buses to Visakhapatnam on Monday because of protests by agitators belonging to the Kapu community in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
Train services ground to a halt in the Visakhapatnam section after an express train was set on fire at Tuni railway station, railway sources said.
"Trains have been stopped between Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam. Trains have been stabled at (intermediate) railway stations and this could have an impact on rail connectivity to and from Howrah," Senior Divisional Security Commissioner of Vijayawada Division S R Gandhi told Express on phone.
Nobody has been injured in the incident and train operations will resume only after clearance from the State (Andhra Pradesh) police, he added.
Southern Railway sources here said that one train from Howrah to Chennai was likely to be delayed. "We are not cancelling any train in Visakhapatnam section from Chennai. But these trains will resume their journey depending on the situation in the neighbouring State," a source said.
Meanwhile, APSRTC has cancelled two buses to Visakhapatnam from Chennai on Monday in the wake of the planned protests. "Two buses have already left Chennai for Visakhapatnam on Sunday evening. However, two other services from Visakhapatnam may not reach Chennai and hence the cancellations," an APSRTC officer said. Buses on other routes are running on schedule, the official added.