Almost at midnight on Thursday, passengers who had booked their tickets in S5 coach of the Chemmozhi Express (Train No. 16616) were in a fix as they ran from the engine to the guard van in search of their coach at Coimbatore Junction.
“We got help from railway officials only after we frantically tried reaching them. Till then, we neither had any alternative arrangement nor communication on unavailability of the coach,” says 27-year-old S. Sowmya, who was heading to Tiruvarur with her one-year-old daughter.
With help coming in the last minute, some passengers were accommodated in S1 coach of the train from Coimbatore to Mannargudi. Others sneaked into the unreserved compartment. The train left Coimbatore Junction late by 15 minutes from the scheduled time (12.15 a.m.).
Some passengers had arguments or adjusted with other passengers till Karur – despite having a confirmed berth ticket.
Those who boarded the train en route also had trouble.
Chairman of Coimbatore Railway User Welfare Association M. Jameel Ahamed said the Railways could have worked out alterative arrangements and also informed passengers in advance through SMS or public address system.
‘Sick coach’
A senior railway official said that the coach was certified as sick and was removed here to undergo immediate repair and maintenance works on Saturday. They could not get an alternative coach.
The official said that it would take a couple of days more for the faulty coach to be fixed.
“Till then, we will send messages to passengers of the coach and depute staff to assist them,” he added.
A senior railway official said the coach was certified as sick and was removed for immediate repair
