Daily commuters in a fix as rail fracture hits services

A section of passengers from Arakkonam and employed in Chennai stayed away from their workplaces on Thursday, following a rail fracture that disrupted train services during the crucial morning hours. Two express trains and five electrical multiple unit (EMU) were delayed for about two hours, affecting the travel plans of thousands of commuters.

“Several passengers, employed in private firms in Chennai were seen calling their respective offices, explaining their inability to report for duty, citing the unexpected disruption in train services,” a frequent passenger from Arakkonam said. The Yelagiri Express and EMU trains were the lifeline of people at Arakkonam and other far flung areas to reach Chennai everyday, he said.

According to a railway official, the rail fracture was reported at around 7 am at Tiruvalangadu railway station between Arakkonam and Tiruvallur stations on the up-line.

However, the problem was set right and operations resumed after 9 am, the official added.