CHENNAI:Rain disrupted long distance train services between Basin Bridge, Chennai Central and towards Perambur on Friday, causing difficulty to hundreds of passengers, who were stuck in trains for hours.
Southern Railway cancelled, partially cancelled, diverted, or rescheduled most express trains that were leaving the Chennai Central. Incoming trains were also affected due to waterlogging and points failure, which made it difficult to change lines as heavy rain lashed the city. “I was at the Vijayawada Junction-Chennai Central Jan Shadabdi Express. The train was scheduled to reach the destination at 11 10 am, but it was stopped near Arakkonam. I was told that waterlogging on tracks near Chennai Central disrupted the schedule of outgoing trains. We could reach Central only around 2 15 pm,” said Hemachandran Seshadri, a passenger who came to Chennai to attend a family function.
Due to points failure, more than five express trains were running on the same track.
“We were shocked to see the Alleppey Express standing on the same track, just in front of our train, with another express behind our train,” said Raja, a passenger who was stuck in Cheran Express. “Following this, Most passengers had to get out from the trains and take alternative transport to reach the city,” he added.
Meanwhile, railway workers drained out water from the tracks, only after the trains were moved from the tracks. The heavy rain disrupted suburban train services as well.
TRAINS FULLY CANCELLED
Chennai Central: Vijayawada Junction Jan Shadabdi Express, Vijayawada Junction - Chennai Central Jan Shadabdi Express, Bangalore -Chennai Central Brindavan Express.
TRAINS PARTIALLY CANCELLED
Tirupati: Chennai Central Express, Chennai Central- Tirupati Express,Vijayawada- Chennai Central Pinakini Express,Chennai Central- Vijayawada Pikani Express, Tirupati- Chennai Central Express, Chennai Central - Tirupati, Chennai Central – Bangalore Express, Bangalore – Chennai Central Express
Trains diverted without touching Chennai Central
Patna-Bangalore Express diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam . Guwahati-Thiruvananthapuram Central Express diverted via Korukkupet, Vyasarpadi and Perambur and Thiruvananthapuram- Shalimar Express diverted via Perambur, Vyasarpadi, Korukkupet. Kamakya-Yesvantpur Express, Kamakya – Yesvantpur Express diverted via. Korukkupet, Vyasarpadi and Perambur, Bangalore City – Patna Sangamithra express diverted via. Perambur, Vyasarpadi and Korukkupet.
Trains Rescheduled
Chennai Central-Howrah Coromandel Express, Chennai Central- Ahemedabad Navjivan Express, Coimbatore- Chennai Central Kovai Express,Coimbatore - Chennai Central Shatabdi Express, Chennai Central – Santragachi Weekly Express, Chennai Central – Mangalore Express, Chennai Central – Thiruvananthapuram Express, Chennai Central – New Delhi G.T. Express, Chennai Central – New Delhi Tamil Nadu Express, Chennai Central – Alleppey Express, Chennai Central – Bangalore Express, Chennai Central – Coimbatore Intercity Express.