Train operations on Kollam-Punalur route suspended due to pantograph malfunction

KOLLAM: Train traffic on the Kollam-Punalur route was halted for hours after the pantograph traction, the part that connects the train to the power line, of the Kollam-Punalur MEMU got stuck in the power line. The MEMU, which departed at 5:30 pm yesterday, became entangled with the pantograph traction power line near the second gate of Keralapuram around 6 pm.

The initial assessment suggests that a fault in the overhead equipment supplying power to the pantograph may be the cause. The entangled pantograph rendered the contact wire inoperable, resulting in a complete halt of train traffic on the single-track Kollam-Punalur route.

The Punalur-Madurai Express, scheduled to depart Punalur at 5:15 pm and arrive in Kollam at 6:20 pm was stopped at Kundara station. Similarly, the Guruvayoor-Madurai train was halted at Kottarakkara. Many passengers from both trains opted to continue their journey by bus or alternative means.

The Thiruvananthapuram to Punalur train was delayed at Paravur due to track unavailability at Kollam station. Passengers boarded alternative trains to reach Kollam. Despite the late hour, staff from the Tower Cabin and electrical department in Kollam are persisting in their efforts to resolve the fault.