Track maintenance coach derails near Olakkur in Villupuram district

A track maintenance train of the Southern Railway derailed near Olakkur railway station, disrupting services on the Villupuram-Mailam section on Wednesday.

Official sources said the packing machine, which was involved in routine maintenance on the section, derailed near Olakkur railway station at around 7 p.m. The derailment affected the operation of long-distance train services. including the Puducherry-Bhubaneshwar superfast express and the Madurai-Chennai Tejas Express.

Railway officials said trains would be allowed to proceed only after the derailed engine was removed from the track. A team rushed to the scene to carry out repair operations. The cause of derailment is being investigated.