PALAKKAD: A Tirunelveli-Pune special train derailed between Meenakshipuram and Pollachi on Tuesday night at around 10 pm after a tree fell on the tracks. The derailment of the engine and seven compartments took place at Valakombil between Pollachi and Meenakshipuram. No one was injured.
A large tree standing beside the tracks fell on the tracks, which the train ran into, leading to the derailment.
Traffic can be restored only after the tree is cut and removed from the tracks. A help desk has been opened at Palakkad division of Southern Railways.
The telephone numbers are 0491 2556198 and 2555231. All the coaches were air conditioned and there were 480 passengers. Workers from Shoranur were engaged in removing the 200-year-old tree.
Except the derailed seven bogies, the remaining bogies have been taken to Pollachi.