Freight Train Derailment Paralyzes Kerala Railway Network
Rail services across Kerala experienced significant disruption on Friday after a freight train locomotive derailed at the Kalamassery railway yard near Kochi. The incident occurred when the train collided with a barrier at the dead end of the loop track, causing widespread delays during the busy weekend travel period.
Technical Failure Leads to Yard Accident
The accident unfolded at approximately 2:30 PM when the freight train, transporting around 10 tonnes of fertilizer from the FACT facility in Eloor, developed a critical technical malfunction. According to railway officials, the wheel of the diesel-run locomotive experienced a snag that caused it to lock while navigating the points and crossing zone within the yard.
During shunting operations, as wagons were being coupled at the loop track in preparation for joining the mainline, the compromised locomotive rammed into the protective barrier. This impact resulted in the immediate derailment of the locomotive, though fortunately, it did not proceed onto the main railway line.
Widespread Travel Chaos During Peak Hours
Despite the derailed locomotive remaining within the yard area, railway authorities implemented temporary suspension of train services on the adjacent mainline as a precautionary safety measure. This decision triggered a chain reaction of delays affecting numerous services across the state.
Train movements in both directions were restricted to single-line operations, requiring additional time to ensure safe passage of trains sequentially. The disruption occurred during the Friday weekend rush, exacerbating the impact on passengers who faced considerable inconvenience during peak afternoon travel hours.
Official reports confirmed that more than 10 trains experienced delays ranging between two to three hours. Among the affected services was train number 66610, the MEMU passenger service from Ernakulam to Palakkad, which had departed at 2:45 PM. This service was temporarily suspended before eventually operating as a special train later in the evening.
Restoration Efforts and Service Normalization
Railway emergency response teams worked diligently to clear the track and restore normal operations. The derailed locomotive was successfully removed from the affected area, allowing safety inspections to proceed.
At 5:45 PM, railway authorities certified the mainline as fit for service, permitting the resumption of regular operations. Normal train services fully resumed across the network by 6:23 PM, bringing relief to stranded passengers and restoring the regular schedule.
The Thiruvananthapuram railway division issued a press release explaining that single-line working protocols necessitated the delays to ensure passenger safety. They emphasized that the temporary suspension of mainline operations represented a standard safety precaution in such circumstances, despite the inconvenience caused to travelers.
