4 days ago
Trains detained for hours as vertical lift span of Pamban rail bridge got stuck midway
Four trains, including two express trains, leaving Rameswaram were detained for hours after the vertical lift span of the new Pamban rail bridge got stuck midway on Tuesday.
Train No. 16104 Rameswaram — Tambaram Express, Train no. 16527 Rameswaram — Chennai Egmore Express, Train no. 56716 Rameswaram — Madurai passenger and Train No. 56713 Madurai —Rameswaram Passenger were detained on both sides of the bridge since evening.
The Tambaram-bound train, which left Rameswaram at 4 p.m., was stopped ahead of the Pamban railway bridge after the officials could not lower the vertical span to the track level of the bridge
Rameswaram — Chennai Egmore Express that was scheduled to leave at 5.50 p.m. could leave only at 8.20 p.m.
The passenger trains were partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Mandapam with inordinate delay in resumption of their services.
After a lot of struggle, the 654-tonne lift span was placed on the track and a light engine was run over the bridge. After the trial was successful around 7 p.m., the train services were resumed.
As a result, the Tambaram-bound train was delayed for nearly four hours. The central span had got stuck midway within a few minutes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on April 6.
