A coal-laden goods train derailed at 1 a.m., on Friday, 30 km from Balharshah, leading to cancellation and diversion of dozens of trains.
The spot where the derailment took place is about 345 km from the zonal headquarters of Secunderabad. The Kazipet-Balharshah section of the South Central Railway (SCR) is on the Grand Trunk line that links the north of India with the south.
This made matters worse for the railway machinery which sent men and material to restore the tracks, with the work being overseen by a dozen senior officials. General Manager, Southern Railway, Vashishta Johri, who is currently looking after the SCR, flew from Chennai to catch a special train from Secunderabad to reach the location.
In all, 11 express trains including some important superfast trains were cancelled. Fifteen trains were partially cancelled. In the up direction towards New Delhi, 27 express and passenger trains were diverted while in the down direction, 18 trains were diverted.
Initial inquiries, senior officials said, had not revealed any specific reason for the derailment.
The Railways is keen on the restoration of tracks for the present, it is learnt. A detailed probe will be conducted by the Commissioner for Railway Safety.
Meanwhile, a helpline has been set up at Vijayawada with the number 0866-2575038, a press release said .
