Damage to the earth and ballasts beneath the railway tracks between Srivaikuntam and Nazareth railway stations in the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur section has been found to be extensive. The earthen bund has been washed away across a depth of over 20 feet. The damage was sutained during the torrential rains that lashed the southern T.N. districts last week.
Even as restoration work is ongoing, railway officials and workers are not able to reach the tracks in some parts of the affected areas despite the water level having receded over the past four days.
Engineers have now restored rail movement on a 16 km stretch between Tirunelveli and Seydunganallur railway stations. As materials meant for the restoration could not be moved by rail beyond Seydunganallur however, officials have opted to move them by road. “Since roads too, have been washed away at many spots, even these attempts are very challenging. We are now preparing to repair the roads to move the materials closer to the tracks,” said a senior railway engineer.
