Train services between Chennai and Tiruchi disrupted because of heavy rain, rising water level near Villupuram

Train operations were severely hit because of Cyclone Fengal resulting in breaches in track parameters and elevated water levels at critical infrastructure, particularly at bridge No. 452 between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam and bridge No. 84 between Tirukkovilur and Tandarai.

Train operations were severely hit because of Cyclone Fengal resulting in breaches in track parameters and elevated water levels at critical infrastructure, particularly at bridge No. 452 between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam and bridge No. 84 between Tirukkovilur and Tandarai.

Several express trains passing via Tiruchi to Chennai and from Chennai were cancelled on Monday because of suspension of bridge between Vikravandi and Mundiyampakkam and water rising above danger level. Many trains were operated on a diverted route. The Commercial branch of the Tiruchi Railway Division arranged a fleet of buses to transport passengers who were stranded at three railway stations. 

Trains cancelled

The Tiruchi-Chennai Egmore Cholan Express (22676), Karaikudi-Chennai Egmore-Karaikudi Pallavan Express (12606/5), Madurai-Chennai Egmore Tejas Express (22672), Nagercoil-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express (20628), Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express (20665/6), Chennai Egmore-Madurai-Chennai Vaigai Express (12635/6), Chennai Egmore-Guruvayur Express (16127), Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai-Villupuram MEMU and Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai passenger were among the trains cancelled on Monday.

To ensure passenger safety, train operations were temporarily suspended on the Villupuram-Tiruvannamalai and the Villupuram-Chennai Egmore sections. The Sengottai-Chennai Egmore and Madurai-Chennai Egmore Express were halted at Mambalapattu railway station. 

The Kollam-Chennai Egmore Express was halted at Venkatesapuram railway station while the Thoothukudi-Chennai Egmore, Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore (22662) and Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore Express (16752) were halted at Villupuram station.

The Commercial Branch of Tiruchi Division arranged a fleet of buses at Mambalapattu, Venkatesapuram and Villupuram railway stations to help passengers stranded at these stations. Sixteen buses were arranged at Mambalapattu station transporting 1,500 passengers to Chennai.