Kolkata: Local train services, suspended in Eastern Railway’s Sealdah division since 8 pm on Thursday, resumed at 10 am on Friday. However, 136 EMUs and a long-distance train were cancelled in the aftermath of Cyclone Dana. South-Eastern Railway cancelled 56 long-distance and passenger trains on Friday, and three more that were due to commence journeys on Saturday.
The first local train to leave Sealdah was train number 34420 from the South section to Sonarpur, an ER official said. “We had to cancel 135 trains, including the Puri-Sealdah Express today because of the inclement weather conditions,” he said.
The heavy rain caused flooding of the railway tracks. Both ER and SER promptly cleared the water with the help of pumps. Generators were strategically deployed at important locations to combat power disruptions. The Sealdah and Howrah war rooms were functional round-the-clock to monitor the situation.
On Thursday night, upon request by DRM, Sealdah, Dipak Nigam, the state govt organized buses to help passengers with last-mile connectivity. Medical teams were also deployed along with extra RPF personnel to assist passengers. Tower Wagons were stationed at locations like Sonarpur, Baruipur, Barasat, Lakhikantapur, and Bagalia of ERfor quick response. SER cancelled trains like Puri-Howrah, Puri-Shalimar, and MGR Chennai Central-Shalimar.