Rail traffic to 5 northern districts disrupted

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 23. Rail traffic to the five northern districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod was disrupted for the second day today following the Chennai- Mangalore Mail mishap at Kadalundi, near Kozhikode, on Friday. Following the tragedy that claimed over 50 lives, the Railways have suspended services beyond the Shoranur junction till further notice, virtually cutting off the northern districts.

The diversion of trains proceeding via Konkan Railway via the Wadi route has come as a big setback. However, the only solace for rail commuters are the shuttle services being operated in the Kozhikode-Mangalore sector. The termination of the 6329 Malabar Express bound for Mangalore at Shoranur and the 6347 Kannur-bound Kannur Express at Thrissur since yesterday has forced commuters living in the affected districts to be completely dependent on KSRTC buses.

As it was a week-end and in view of the school reopening in northern and western regions of the country, long queues were seen in front of the railway reservation centres. Students and office-goers who were returning to their homes during the week- end were the worst affected due to the termination of services.

Railway sources said additional staff had been posted at all major railway stations from the State capital to Thrissur to cater to the needs of the commuters.

Steps had been taken to provide full refunds to all those who were cancelling their journey.

Railway sources said the traffic along the Kadalundi river is likely to be restored only in the next couple of days. As many as 300 cribs and one girder were rushed from the capital.

Meanwhile, the Railways have allayed fears about the safety of the bridges in the Thiruvananthapuram railway division in the wake of the tragedy.

The division has 171 major bridges and 1,951 minor bridges compared to 28 major and 3,093 minor bridges in the adjoining Palakkad Division.

Railway sources said the bridges in the Thiruvananthapuram division were comparatively new as many have been strengthened or reconstructed after the gauge conversion and doubling of tracks.

The bridges at Piravom Road, Aluva and Kadakavoor were among those which were renovated by the Railways recently.

Sources said the strengthening of the Chengannur bridge is to be taken up soon.

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