Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express engine derails after landslide near Thiruvananthapuram; six trains cancelled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A landslide near Parassala railway station in Thiruvananthapuram district derailed the locomotive of the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express early on Thursday, October 22, disrupting rail services on the Neyyattinkara–Parassala section.

The incident occurred at around 2.19 am when the train, numbered 22619, was stopped near Parassala after soil slipped onto the tracks following heavy rain. All passengers and railway staff were safe, according to Southern Railway.

A relief locomotive was arranged to move the affected train, while an Accident Relief Train and restoration personnel were dispatched to the site. The Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express was subsequently scheduled to terminate at Neyyattinkara, with the affected section of its journey partially cancelled. Buses were arranged to transport passengers to their destinations.

Six passenger trains scheduled to operate on Thursday were cancelled due to restoration work. Several other services were delayed or rescheduled.

Trains detained

• Tambaram–Thiruvananthapuram Central Special (061613)
• Madurai–Punalur Express (16729)
• Tambaram–Thiruvananthapuram Central Amrit Bharat Express (16121)

Trains facing departure delays

• Kanyakumari–Mangaluru Central Parashuram Express (16650)
• Nagercoil–Punalur Passenger (56102)
• Thiruvananthapuram North–Nagercoil Junction Passenger (56306)
• Punalur–Kanyakumari Passenger (56705)
• Thiruvananthapuram Central–Tambaram Express (16122)

The Kanniyakumari–Mangaluru Central Parashuram Express, originally scheduled to depart Kanniyakumari at 3.45 am, was rescheduled to leave at 7 am.

Railway authorities were working to restore normal services. Passengers were advised to check the latest train status before travelling.