The loco engine and three empty tanker wagons of a goods train that was on its way to Kochi Refinery to load fuel derailed between Puthukkad and Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district on Friday afternoon, affecting movement of trains in either direction.
Many trains have been detained at stations and tracks on both directions, since train movement on the parallel track from Ernakulam to Puthukkad too has been curbed, until certified safe by Railway personnel. Cranes and equipment to rectify and re-install the damaged tracks would arrive shortly at the accident site, official sources said.
Up to five short-distance trains from Puthukkad to the southern districts are likely to be cancelled until the damaged track is restored. Train services are likely to be delayed since they would initially operate on the basis of manual signalling, until the signal system at the accident site is restored, they added. Thiruvanathapuram Divisional Railway Manager R. Mukund reached the spot to help coordinate the restoration efforts.
