Chennai: The Southern Railway announced that restoration work at the train accident site at Kavaraipettai has been completed in a record time and normal will be resumed in a phased manner from today.
A Railway release issued late last night said the rear-end collision at Kavaraipettai on Friday night involving the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express and a stationary goods train led to the disruption of Mail/Express and suburban train services in Chennai-Gummidipundi section.
Ten coaches of Bagmati Express and two wagons of the Goods train derailed. There were no fatalities, though a few passengers sustained minor fractures and injuries, and immediate medical assistance was provided.
Ex-gratia was given to seven injured passengers as per norms.
Rail traffic was disrupted in Chennai- Gummidipundi section. Around 20 Mail/Express services passing through the section were cancelled,
A total of 60 trains were diverted/regulated/rescheduled.
Chennai Suburban services were suspended in Chennai-Gummidipundi section and EMU specials were operated up to Minjur and in the other end from Sulurupetta to Gummidipundi.
Southern Railway, in collaboration with State and District Administration and agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, initiated rescue efforts swiftly.
Over 500 personnel were mobilized to assist passengers and carry out rescue operations.
Southern Railway’s Accident Relief Trains, equipped with advanced tools and medical facilities, were brought in from nearby Tondiarpet Yard.
The stranded passengers of Bagmati Express were transported via buses to nearby stations like Ponneri, with five medical teams to provide immediate attention.
Special EMU services were arranged to transport the stranded passengers to Dr MGR Chennai Central.
Special Help Desks extended assistance to the passengers arriving at Dr MGR Central.
Special Train to Darbhanga for stranded passengers arranged within eight hours of the accident.
The alternative train service, a special train with the same composition as the Bagmati Express,
was arranged to transport the stranded passengers from Dr. MGR Chennai Central to Darbhanga.
Over 1,800 passengers were accommodated on this special train, which departed from Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 0445 hrs yesterday following medical check-ups by Railway doctors and the provision of food and water.
Meanwhile, restoration work began immediately with the deployment of five heavy earth movers, three JCBs and two 140-ton cranes to re-rail the derailed coaches.
Teams worked around the clock, and lighting arrangements were set up to facilitate uninterrupted work at the site.
Southern Railway General Manager R N Singh, the Additional General Manager, DRM/Chennai, ADRM/Chennai and Senior officials of the zone rushed to the accident site and closely monitored rescue operations and restoration works.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Circle), Bengaluru conducted a statutory inspection of the accident site on October 12.
The CRS thoroughly scrutinized the tracks, Signals, Interlocking panels, blocks and points, coaches and locos and also interacted with the officials and injured passengers.
The CRS will conduct a statutory inquiry on October 16 and 17.
Noting that through traffic on the stretch restored in A record time within 24 hrs, it said restoration work at Kavaraipettai is progressing rapidly, with the UP mainline cleared of derailed coaches and wagons.
A total of 10 coaches, including 9 AC coaches and a power car from the ill-fated express train along with two wagons from the goods train, have been removed using cranes.
By the early morning of October 13, the railway tracks were restored in record time at 20.30 hrs of October 12 with the UP mainline and UP loop lines becoming operational first.
Train No.12434 Nizamuddin – Dr MGR Chennai Rajdhani Express passed through Kavaraipettai Railway Station UP Mainline at 21.05 Hrs .
The DN line was given track fit at 07.00 hrs of October 13 with OHE Works completed at 08.00 hrs and Signalling reconnection Works completed at 08.30 hrs.
Train No.12482 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Shalimar Coromandel Express passed the Kavaraipettai accident spot at 09.08 hrs yesterday.
Hence Main line Train Traffic stands restored in the section in record time after the accident.
However, speed restrictions have been imposed in the section to ensure safe passage of trains.
The release said the suburban EMU train Services in the Chennai-Gummidipundi section were also restored yesterday with services presently being operated now up to Gummidipundi railway station
at a frequency of one hour.
The first EMU train service up to Gummidipundi was operated at 08.40 hrs yesterday and normal weekdays EMU services will resume from today.
Southern Railway’s dedicated teams, working closely with other agencies, are expediting the restoration efforts, with all the lines at Kavaraipettai expected to be fully operational today morning.
