Following the Odisha train accident on June 2, that involved the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express and the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express as well as a goods train and that resulted in 238 deaths and hundreds of injuries, Southern Railway has announced a special train to bring stranded passengers back to Chennai.
The train, from Bhadrak in Odisha to Chennai, began its run on Saturday morning. Nearly 250 passengers are on board the train now, and it is expect to reach Dr. MGR Chennai Central Railway Station at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 4, according to a press release.
Southern Railway has also said family members of victims of the train accident can travel to Bhadrak from Chennai. Another special train (No: 02840) will be operated, and it will depart from Dr. MGR Chennai Central Railway Station to Bhadrak at 7.20 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.
“Family members and relatives of the affected passengers can collect their respective complimentary passes for the travel from the help desk at Chennai Central in advance before their travel. They can also register for their travel over phone by contacting the helpline numbers at Chennai Central: 044- 25330952, 044- 25330953 & 044-25354771, 9003061974 and 044 25354148 & 044 25330714,” a press release said.
Help desks that are functional at Chennai, Katpadi and Jolarpettai may also be contacted, the press release said.
Trains cancelled, diverted
Consequent to the accident, there a number of changes in the patterns of train services, as per a press release:
Train No.22877 Howrah – Ernakulam Antyodaya Express leaving Howrah at 14.55 hrs on June 3, 2023 is cancelled.
Train No.12841 Shalimar – Dr MGR Chennai Central Coromandel Express leaving Shalimar at 15.20 hrs on June 3, 2023 is cancelled.
Train No.12840 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Howrah leaving Chennai at 19.20 hrs on June 3, 2023 is cancelled.
Train No.12664 Tiruchchirappalli – Howrah which left Tiruchchirappalli at 13.35 hrs on June 2, 2023 is diverted to run via Vizianagaram – Titlagarh – Sambalpur – Jharsuguda – Rourkela – Tatanagar – Asanboni – Kharagpur.
Train No.15630 Silghat Town – Tambaram Nagaon Express that left Silghat Town at 10.10 hrs on June 2, 2023 is diverted to run via Asansol – Chandil Songari – Rourkela – Jharsuguda – Cuttack.
