Kolkata train delays persist following Secunderabad-Shalimar Express derailment
Times of India | 11 November 2024
Kolkata: Though the railways tried its best to restore services in the aftermath of the Secunderabad-Shalimar Weekly Express derailment on Saturday, several long-distance trains were delayed on Sunday.
The Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express left at 9.30 am on Sunday because of the late running of the corresponding train. The scheduled departure of the train was 6.10 am. The departure of the Howrah-Rourkela Vande Bharat was also late for the same reason.
Three coaches of the superfast express train derailed at Nalpur, 40 km from Kolkata, at 5.31 am on Saturday. There were casualties, but the derailed parcel van and two AC coaches badly affected train movement in South-Eastern Railway's Kharagpur division, through which several long-distance trains are operated along with many EMU locals. By 2.40 pm, the middle track was cleared, and around 6 pm, the downline was fit for train movement. However, the disruption throughout the day had a fallout on the services of trains on Sunday.
The Howrah-SMVT Bengaluru Duronto Express left Howrah at 2 pm instead of 10.45 am. The Shalimar-MGR Chennai Central Coromondol Express left at 5.20 pm, two hours late. The Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express left at 9.15 pm instead of 2.15 pm.
"Among the affected trains were the Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat, Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express, Howrah-Digha Tamralipta Express, and Howrah-Bhubaneswar Jan Shatabdi Express," an SER official said. Many trains were diverted but were running late. The trains reached their destinations late, resulting in the late departure of the link trains.
"Things are getting back to normal. Last evening itself, the tracks cleared and readied for train movement. The delays caused on Sunday were because of the late running of the corresponding trains," SER's CPRO Omprakash Charan said.
Meanwhile, the six-member committee that was set up to probe Saturday's derailment has started investigations. Engineers and experts were at the spot to find out what led to the derailment. "They are talking to the loco-pilot and eyewitnesses," an official said.