Five Coaches Of Passenger Train Enroute To Puducherry Derail In Tamil Nadu
According to PRO, Chennai, railway staff are working to clear the route for other trains. Further, the authorities are also investigating whether the incident was due to a technical fault or sabotage
Five coaches of a passenger train derailed near Villupuram railway station on Tuesday. The passenger train bound to Puducherry did not reach the platform at Villupuram at the time of the incident. However, a major untoward incident was averted as the train stopped immediately.
PRO Railway, Chennai said, "All passengers were safely evacuated from the train. Railway staff and engineers rushed to the site and are actively working to repair the derailed train. Railway staff worked and the route was cleared for other trains, authorities are investigating whether the incident was due to a technical fault or sabotage. The Villupuram Railway Police have begun an in-depth inquiry into the matter.
Five coaches of a passenger train from Villupuram to Puducherry derailed near Villupuram railway station. A major accident was averted as the train stopped immediately after a loud noise was heard. All passengers were safely evacuated from the train. Railway staff and engineers…
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025
The passengers waiting for the MEMU train were accommodated on the Dadar-Puducherry Express, which was halted at all stations en route to Puducherry to ensure their travel without further delay, according to an official railway release, as per PTI.
Earlier reports from local officials indicated that a coach of the Villupuram-Puducherry train, carrying "approximately 500 passengers," derailed soon after departing Villupuram at 5:25 am while navigating a curve. The loco pilot promptly stopped the train following the derailment. However, railway officials have clarified that the derailment occurred within the Villupuram yard during a shunting process at a specific crossing, not on the main route.
An official told PTI that the MEMU train had no more than 50 passengers at the time of the incident, refuting earlier claims of 500 passengers. The official added that the small number of passengers boarded the train due to delays, even before it reached the platform.
The Villupuram-Puducherry MEMU is a short-distance train covering approximately 38 km.