CHENNAI: The alleged failure of the Railways to inform about their train cancellation left around 30 passengers stranded at the Tambaram station on Monday. Blaming the Railways for the communication gap, passengers took up the issue with station officials. Arrangements had to be made for accommodating the affected in other trains.The Southern Railway on September 26 announced the operation of a special train between Tambaram and Sengottai on all days in October, except on Sundays and Tuesdays. It was to leave Tambaram at 6 am and reach its destination at 6 pm the same day. But on September 28,all 21 services were cancelled due to operational reasons. Instead, reservations were opened for a new train between the two places.
Senior railway officials told Express they had made a public announcement of the new train scheduled for departure at 5 am. It was to be operated on the same dates as the cancelled one.
Though the officials said all passengers on the original train were informed about its cancellation, a scene of confusion which prevailed on Monday morning suggested the otherwise.
Sources witness to the scene told Express that around 30 passengers, who had come to board the 6 am train, waited on platform No. 7 at the station. After waiting for some time, they approached the station officials. “They claimed not receiving any information about the cancellation of the original train and held Railways accountable for the mistake,” said the source, adding that a few were agitated.
A station official, on condition of anonymity, said they had to issue a clarification and pacify the passengers. Authorities were then alerted. “We ensured alternative accommodation for the affected passengers on Guruvayur Express and Cholan Express to enable them to reach their destinations,” the official said.