Internet Cable Incident Halts Chennai Suburban Train Services
Suburban train services on the crucial Chennai Beach to Tambaram route experienced significant disruption on Saturday evening following an unexpected infrastructure incident. An unauthorized internet cable fell onto the overhead electric (OH) line near Guindy railway station, creating a hazardous situation that forced temporary service suspension.
Commuters Face Delays and Stranding
The incident occurred around 5pm, directly impacting the evening rush hour when suburban trains typically see peak passenger volumes. According to multiple commuter reports, several suburban trains experienced delays ranging from 20 to 30 minutes as railway authorities worked to address the situation.
At least 1,000 commuters found themselves stranded at Guindy station during the disruption, unable to continue their journeys as railway personnel assessed the safety risks and worked to restore normal operations.
Rapid Response and Service Restoration
Railway employees responded promptly to the emergency, working diligently to remove the fallen cable from the overhead electric line and conduct necessary safety checks. Through their coordinated efforts, train services were successfully restored by 5:30pm, approximately 30 minutes after the initial disruption began.
Unauthorized Cables on Railway Premises
Southern Railway chief public relations officer Senthamil Selvan addressed the incident, clarifying the railway's position regarding internet cables on their premises. "Southern Railway has not authorized any Internet cables on the railway premises," Selvan stated emphatically.
The official further explained that private parties have installed unauthorized cables in the area, creating potential safety hazards for railway operations. "We will take action to remove the cables at the earliest," Selvan assured, indicating that Southern Railway plans to address this infrastructure vulnerability proactively.
Infrastructure Safety Concerns
This incident highlights ongoing challenges with unauthorized infrastructure encroaching on railway systems. The falling cable created not just service disruptions but also potential electrical hazards that required careful handling by trained railway personnel.
Such incidents underscore the importance of maintaining clear safety zones around critical transportation infrastructure and the need for coordinated efforts between railway authorities and private telecommunications providers to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
