Breach in pipeline impact train services for 2nd day | Kolkata News

Train tracks are still flooded

Kolkata: The railway tracks near Kolkata station remained waterlogged on Tuesday, too, resulting in delays of at least two long-distance trains and diversion of some suburban services, especially in Sealdah South section.Circular railway services remained suspended for the second consecutive day. The services will not be available on Wednesday also. Railway sources said they used nine pumps to drain out water, but the tracks did not fully dry up.“We have managed to drain out bulk of the water from the tracks, but some water still remains. We have used 9 pumps of 15hp power,” an official said.Kolkata-Amritsar Express that was scheduled to leave at 12.10 pm left Kolkata station at 2.50 pm. Kolkata-Jammu Tawi Express that was scheduled to depart at 11.45 am finally left the station at 1.15 pm.On Tuesday morning, several people carrying luggage were seen walking along the tracks to catch their trains from Kolkata station. Bhupen Yadav and his family were seen wading through the water near the leakage area while struggling to carry a trolley bag to catch their train, which was scheduled for the afternoon. Yadav said: “We planned to take a circular train from Bagbazar to Kolkata station, but upon arriving at the station, we learned that services were suspended. We had no choice but to walk,” he said.Bapi Mandal, who was headed to Ranaghat, also walked along the circular railway tracks. “I had to take a train from Bagbazar to reach Kolkata station. I started walking from Bagbazar after I got to know that services have been suspended,” he said.At Tala station, booking counter operations were closed, though staff remained on duty inside to inform commuters of the disruption.Sources said suburban services on the Sealdah South section skipped some of the stations on their usual route. “Usually trains from Dum Dum go to Majerhat via Tala. Since that stretch is waterlogged, trains from Dum Dum are using a chord line via Kankurgachhi to reach Ballygunge, from where the trains are going to Majerhat,” said the official.Circular railway services were fully suspended. Because of Kali Puja immersions, Circular Railway services were supposed to end at 4 pm and begin at 5 am the next morning. “This was announced even before the water leak,” said a railway official. After the leak, services before 4 pm have been suspended.