Power grid failure: 180 trains stranded on ER, SER networks

Eastern Railway sources said that arrangements were made for diesel engines to run long-distance trains which were stranded at various places.

Railway engineers were successful in hauling Sealdah- bound Rajdhani Express, Patna-Howrah Janshatabdi Express, Kalka-Howrah Mail and Howrah-bound Rajdhani Express with diesel engines, the sources said.

With power utility CESC diverting 10 MW through the Titagarh grid, some EMU trains were run up to Kalyani from 2:50 PM.

The South Eastern Railway (SER) said 75 trains, including 40 long-distance ones, were detained at different places from 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM.

Railway sources said normal services resumed from 3:45 PM on the Chakradharpur, Rourkela-Jharsuguda section. Normalcy was also reported from Ranchi, Kharagpur, Adra divisions.

The SER cancelled the Howrah-Digha Kandari Express. Serious disruptions were reported from Malda and Asansol divisions.

Thousands of passengers were inconvenienced at stations, while officials at enquiry counters in Howrah and Sealdah stations had a busy time coping with anxious queries.