Damage to old bridge forces diversion of trains

Chennai: The structural damage to the British-era bridge in the Arakkonam-Katpadi section, due to the recent cyclones in the Bay of Bengal that hit Tamil Nadu in November and resultant floods which caused havoc to the structure necessitated the Southern Railway to divert 12 trains in the route, the Southern Railway said on Friday.

Announcing the diversion of trains due to temporary suspension of traffic on Bridge no. 299 between Mukundarayapuram and Tiruvalam stations in Arakkonam-Katpadi section of the Chennai division, the Southern Railway urged the people to plan their travel in view of the changes made in the pattern of express train services on December 25 and 26, respectively.

Rail traffic on the bridge built in 1865 across Ponnai River was suspended on December 23 after a crack was noticed in one of the pillars. “Rail traffic was suspended on the downline in Arakkonam-Katpadi section. While some trains passing through the section were fully cancelled, few other trains were either short terminated, diverted or regulated and handled in single line,” the Chennai division said on Friday. —PTI