RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: Around 30-metre up line railway track in Magardoh-Barbatpur section under Central Railway Nagpur division was washed away early Friday morning due to heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh. The incident, a repeat of similar development near Sindi last month, has hit train movement on north-south route.Due to washing away of track on up-line (Delhi to Nagpur), traffic was diverted on down line since 5.45am on Friday affecting train movement. Daily at least 30 up and down trains move on this route.Pressure on single track has led to diversion of 4 express trains 12791 Secunderabad-Patna, 12625 Thiruvanathapuram-Delhi Kerala Express, 12269 Chennai-Nizamuddin and 12803 Vishakapattnam-Nizamuddin. The trains went via Badnera-Bhusawal-Itarsi on Friday evening. Freight train traffic too was diverted.Diversion of trains led to sudden rush at Nagpur station and panic among passengers. Many passengers going to Delhi were accommodated in Chhattisgarh Express. "More trains are likely to be diverted if the track is not repaired by Saturday morning. Looking at the mishap site, it seems unlikely that the track, which is virtually hanging, will be restored by morning," said officials.

Divisional railway manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit along with senior officials rushed to the spot to monitor the operations. PRO PD Patil informed portion of the bridge's foundation across Machna river caved in due to incessant rains. At least 15 sleepers were washed away in the flooded river while an overhead electric (OHE) pole was uprooted.

Over 170 workers are working to restore the track. Patil said 18 wagons with boulders, sand and other material have been transported to the mishap site. Besides, 80 such wagons have been kept ready. Passengers have been appealed to contact helpline (0712-2564343) for information.

A similar tragedy had struck the Central Railway in July when 500 metres of up and down tracks were washed away at Sindi Railway on Nagpur-Mumbai route. Officials said crisis is not so severe now as one track is open.