Hundreds of commuters in the city and those making their way into the city from different parts of the State suffered after the derailment of five coaches of the Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Express at Puvanur coming under Cuddalore district in the early hours on Friday.
The derailment of the train No. 16859 resulted in Southern Railway cancelling and rescheduling several trains. Many trains were diverted via Cuddalore Port junction and Mayiladuthurai, the official added.
The special helpline counter which opened at the Egmore Railway Station saw people thronging it, requesting information about the arrival and departure of several trains.
Mohan, who had come to pick up his relatives from Tiruchi, found that the train would be arriving late by almost two to three hours.
Similarly, commuters who were caught unwares about the rescheduling of the Madurai Vaigai Express and Karaikudi Pallavan Express had a delayed departure.
A senior official of the Southern Railway said the restoration of the track was completed and certified to be fit around 7 p.m.
Also, the passenger train from Vridhachalam was operated on the restored track at 8 p.m.
The official said normal train operations on the route would be restored on Saturday and special trains have been proposed to be operated to clear the extra rush.
The derailment of the train No. 16859 resulted in Southern Railway cancelling and rescheduling several trains