High wind disrupts train service

Signal turned red automatically as velocity exceeded permissible limit of 58 km per hour

The Rameswaram-Tiruchi passenger stranded at the entry point of Pamban Rail bridge on Pamban side as it couldn’t cross the bridge due to heavy winds since 2.40 p.m.

High wind velocity in Pamban, Mandapam and adjoining areas hit train services on the Pamban rail bridge, connecting the Rameswaram island to the mainland by rail on Friday.

Two passenger trains and Chennai-bound Rameswaram Express suffered delay of more than five hours as they were stranded at Mandapam, Pamban and Rameswaram after failing to get signal to pass through the bridge due to high wind velocity, official sources said.

The Rameswaram – Tiruchi Passenger was approaching the bridge from Pamban side around 2.30 p.m. when the signal turned red automatically as the velocity of the wind exceeded the permissible limit of 58 km per hour, they said.

The train was allowed to cross the bridge around 7.15 p.m. after the wind paved way, the sources said.

Delay

The Madurai – Rameswaram Passenger, which was stopped at Mandapam Railway Station after it reached the station at 2.55 p.m. was allowed to proceed to the island after 7.30 p.m., the sources said.

The Chennai Rameswaram Express (16102), which left Rameswaram at 5 p.m. and detained at Pamban Railway Station left around 8 p.m., the sources said. The Chennai Sethu Express (22662) left Rameswaram around 8.30 p.m. after a delay of half an hour, they said.