The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Friday cancelled all 22 trains to southern India from Bhubaneswar and Puri till Saturday afternoon due to heavy rains in coastal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh causing overflowing of rainwater on train lines and passing of floodwaters close to over danger level at railway bridges.
Keeping eye on the safety of passengers, the ECoR diverted 28 trains in different lines to their destinations and short-terminated seven trains, while rescheduled seven trains to help the stranded passengers. The ECoR deployed special patrol teams at sensitive locations like bridges and cuttings to keep a sharp look out for rising water levels or any other issue involving train safety.
The ECoR has made special arrangements due to breaches in the Palasa-Khurda Road section. It has arranged bus services to take the stranded passengers at Chhatrapur, Khallikote and Chilika to Balugaon. Special trains from Bhubaneswar to Balugaon have been arranged for the stranded passengers’ en-route, said official sources.
The ECoR issued dedicated helpline telephone numbers- 0674-2301525, 2303721 and 08455885936 to help the passengers, said the officials.