The Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station witnessed a huge rush on Sunday with many people embarking on journeys to various parts of the State and elsewhere. The sense of relief was palpable among many who saw their travel plans go for a toss owing to the floods.
The commencement of special services, coupled with the restoration of rail services to certain areas, have enabled many to complete their interrupted journeys and head for their hometowns.
Melbourne resident Martin E. Augustine, who boarded a special passenger train to Kottayam, would heave a sigh of relief when he and his wife reach their hometown in Pala. The couple were set to fly to Kochi two days ago. However, with flight operations being suspended at the Cochin International Airport, their plans were thrown into disarray, prompting them to cancel their tickets and travel to Thiruvananthapuram instead. Having landed early Sunday, they left for the railway station with their considerably large luggage in tow. To their luck, the Railways began to operate special services to Kottayam on the day.
The situation was no different for Paulson of Karukachal in Kottayam, and his family, who reached Thiruvananthapuram from Dubai a day ago and had to camp at their friend’s house in the city.
There were others who had to face more testing circumstances before they were home-bound. A group of five engineering students from Patna were also among those who left for their native places, but not before they faced moments during which they doubted whether they would come out alive. They were part of 30-odd students of the Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad in Pulinkunnu who were trapped in their hostel for around five days.
A large number of migrant workers were also at the railway station to board a special train from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Gorakhpur via. Tirunelveli and Erode.
