Derailment of Empty Suburban Train Rake Disrupts Chennai Rail Services

A significant disruption occurred in Chennai as an empty rake of an electrical multiple unit (EMU) train derailed near the Avadi railway station on the morning of October 24, 2023. The incident took place as the EMU was being shunted from the Annanur depot to commence its service from Avadi to Chennai Beach railway station. This derailment led to the inconvenience of a large number of office-goers who were left stranded, affecting both suburban train services and long-distance trains.

Southern Railway reported that five EMU trains heading towards Chennai Central experienced delays, and three Express trains from Chennai Central, including Vande Bharat, Shatabdhi, and Kovai Express, were regulated near the Ambattur railway station. The incident occurred as the EMU was unintentionally set in motion by the loco driver, leading to its derailment into the track intended for long-distance trains.

While restoration efforts were underway, the main line was reopened for traffic around 9.30 a.m., with the expectation of normalizing train services by noon, causing significant inconvenience to commuters in the region.