CHENNAI: The fourth and fifth coaches of a suburban train got detached at Saidapet railway station, leaving behind eight coaches on Tuesday morning. The incident affected services on the busy Chennai Beach - Tambaram section.
Around 5:20 am, as the motorman of the Beach - Chengalpattu EMU began to operate the train from platform two, the coupling between the fourth and fifth coach suffered damage, leaving behind eight coaches on the platform. The train was halted after 50m. No one was injured. The incident not only caused confusion among the passengers but forced people to look for alternate means to reach their destinations.
Officials said there were no lapses in the maintenance of the train, adding a departmental inquiry would be conducted. “Such incidents happen rarely. The cause of failure of a coupler that links two coaches will be looked into and suitable action will be taken,” said an official. The coaches left behind in the station were cleared by 6.55 am and regular services were restored around 7:30 am. Due to this, 15 suburban services were delayed in Chennai Beach - Tambaram section, leading to overcrowding at Guindy, Nungambakkam, St Thomas Mount and Tambaram.
S Vishal, a commuter said, amidst a loud noise the train came to a halt. “Initially, we suspected it to be an accident until we noticed that part of the train was left behind. Then, the public announcement system informed us that the train would not be operated and asked us to deboard.”
A Pandiaraja, a member of the zonal rail users consultative committee (ZRUCC), southern railway termed it as a near-miss. “The railways should study the strength of all the couplers in EMU rakes that are maintained in Tambaram shed. The life of the coupler or expiry period for the coupler should be reduced.
An investigation should be conducted over maintenance of the train.” According to the railways' safety manual, every EMU rake should undergo periodic overhauling maintenance for 18 months.
The spokesperson of the Chennai Division said, “The train has undergone periodic overhauling this year. The trains are regularly maintained at sheds. Necessary steps will be taken after an inquiry.”