Train accident ‘derails’ co-op exam candidates’ hopes

Candidates appearing for the co-operative examination at centres in Vellore were badly affected after four wagons of a goods train derailed near the Arakkonam railway station on Sunday morning.

The train, carrying iron materials to the Chennai, was plying from Bellary via Arakkonam. When the train was entering the Arakkonam railway station near the yard area, four wagons, no.13 to no.16, got derailed.

A rescue team arrived and separated the wagons. The rescue operation took about three hours.

However, 2 passenger trains -- the Vellore passenger, which starts at Arakkonam at 7 am, and Bangalore passenger at 8 am -- were delayed by about 3 hours. They were operated after the track was cleared. The Vellore passenger train that starts at 12.30 pm from Arakkonam was delayed by 2 hours.

The co-operative examination candidates from Arakkonam and surrounding areas like Sitheri, Anwarthikanpet and Thalangai were the worst affected. The examination was conducted in 35 centres across the Vellore district on Sunday.