Freight train derails in Kerala; services disrupted, no injuries

Kochi/Kerala: A freight train headed to Kollam in Kerala got its four wagons derailed at the Aluva railway station on Thursday night, disrupting rail traffic on the busy route, but no injuries have been reported so far, Asian News International reported. According to officials, the train was shipping cement from Andhra Pradesh.

While entering the third platform of Aluva in Ernakulam, the second to fifth wagons of the train derailed around 10:30 pm Thursday. The incident led to the halting of many trains, leaving them stranded at various stations for hours. Traffic was able to restore service only after 2.15 am Friday.

Thiruvananthapuram Railway Divisional Manager (RDM) R Mukund said the accident was believed to have happened while the train was changing tracks. But he said that he could not pinpoint the exact reason. There could be multiple reasons, and there will be an inquiry. The railway hopes to restore all the services soon. They are trying to fix the second line by 9:00 in the morning, and line one is already operational, he said.

The incident has forced them to cancel some services, cut some short, and some were rescheduled. Some services will be running late, but the whole system will be back on track by evening, RDM said. He added that they are completing the works pending at the moment and hope to finish shortly.

Eleven trains were cancelled including Guruvayur - Thiruvananthapuram Express, Ernakulam - Kannur Express, Kottayam - Nilambur Express, Nilambur - Kottayam Express, Guruvayur - Ernakulam Express Special, Thiruvananthapuram - Tiruchchirappalli Intercity Express, Ernakulam - Alapuzha Express special, Alappuzha - Ernakulam Express special, Palakkad - Ernakulam MEMU Express special, Ernakulam - Palakkad MEMU Express special, and Shoranur - Ernakulam MEMU Express special.