BELAGAVI
Passengers had a lucky escape when a train which had been diverted got partially derailed following landslides in the Braganza Ghat section due to continuous very heavy rainfall overnight. The incident and other landslides led to disruption in train services between Londa and Kulem.
Two landslides occurred near Sonaulim stations at about 6.10 AM and between Caranzol-Dudhsagar Stations at about 6.20 am on Friday.
The Mangaluru-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) Express Spl had been diverted via Madgaon-Londa-Miraj due to floods and landslides on the Konkan Railway route and later partially derailed along the Dudhsagar-Sonaulim section.
A general coach of the train derailed while the engine derailed partially. No passenger casualty has been reported.
According to SWR sources, the passengers were shifted to other coaches while the train was pulled back to Kulem. The Hazrat Nizamuddin-Vasco bound train was detained near Caranzol and was pulled back to Castel Rock.
“About 500 cubic mtrs of rubble, muck, boulders blocked the track due to the landslide. Two earthmovers, 15 trackmen, 50 labourers are working to clear the debris, rerailing is taken up at the derailment spot,” SWR Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said.
Initiating relief measures, SWR authorities served lunch to 887 passengers aboard the Nizamuddin-Vasco Express & 345 passengers aboard Madgaon-CST train. A medical team was also pressed in service.
Nizamuddin Express was terminated at Londa and will be returning back to Nizamuddin from there. Many trains in the section have been either suspended totally or partially till indefinite period, whereas transhipment arrangements bus were made for Goa bound passengers from Londa and for CST bound passengers from Madgaon/ Mangaluru stations, SWR source said.
Rail authorities said a full fare has been refunded to all passengers of Train Number 02780.
