Freight Train Halted Near Thiruverumbur Due to Electrical Snag, Disrupts Traffic
A freight train transporting coal to the boiler plant of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) was brought to an abrupt stop near Thiruverumbur on Thursday evening following an unexpected electrical failure. This incident caused significant disruptions to both railway operations and road traffic at nearby level crossings, leading to a temporary standstill in the area.
Cause of the Incident
The disruption occurred around 8 PM when a freight train, comprising 59 wagons fully loaded with coal, was en route to the BHEL facility. According to railway officials, the train experienced a sudden power failure after a tree branch fell onto the overhead electrical line while the train was in motion. As a precautionary measure to prevent potential fire hazards from the coal cargo, the loco pilot immediately halted the train.
Impact on Traffic and Operations
The stoppage of the train resulted in the blockage of a critical level crossing, leaving numerous buses and other vehicles stranded. This traffic congestion affected key routes connecting Thiruverumbur with Navalpattu Road, Navalpattu, and surrounding areas, causing inconvenience to commuters and local residents.
Response and Resolution
Railway personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to assess the situation and initiate repair work to restore power to the engine. To expedite the resumption of rail services, approximately half of the wagons were detached from the train. The coal from these wagons was subsequently transported to the BHEL plant using alternative means. Thanks to these prompt actions, rail traffic was able to resume within an hour of the incident, minimizing the overall disruption.
This event highlights the vulnerabilities in rail infrastructure to environmental factors and underscores the importance of rapid response mechanisms to mitigate such disruptions in industrial supply chains and public transportation networks.
