Train service delayed

Mysore-Bangalore trains stranded for 3 hours

Express News Service 07.04.2012

MYSORE: Hundreds of train passengers who were heading for a holiday to enjoy the extended weekend were stranded at different places on Mysore-Bangalore railway line following a technical snag at the computer controlled automatic signaling system at Naganahalli railway station on Friday. Service on the Mysore-Bangalore route was disrupted for nearly three hours.

The Bangalore bound Mysore-Bangalore Chamundi Express, which left Mysore at 6.45 am, was flagged down by a red signal at Naganahalli station following which other trains on the route were brought to a grinding halt.

Though technicians rushed to the spot, it took nearly two hours to rectify the problem. It was only after 9.15 am that the services resumed. Railway officials were baffled by the snag as it was believed to be fool-proof. The system shows the movement of trains and controls the signals.

Passengers bore the brunt throughout the day as almost every train was delayed.

Railway officials confirmed that the technical snag delayed Mysore bound Cauvery Express, Chennai Special Weekly Express, Tuticorin Express, Thanjavur Express Mayiladuthurai Express, Rajya-Rani Express and Chamundi Express by 75 to 100 minutes. The other trains departed on time, they claimed.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Mysore Division, South Western Railway Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu told Express that six express trains were detained at various stations. The snag developed around 7 am due to power fluctuation.

The trains coming from both the sides were detained at several stations and each train was piloted manually to nearby railway stations. While the Chamundi Express was delayed for more than two hours, the Mysore-bound Shatabdi Express arrived on time.