Tamil Nadu Trains Update: 8 Cancelled, 5 Diverted After Goods Train Catches Fire Near Tiruvallur | Details

Tamil Nadu Train Update: Train services on the busy Chennai–Arakkonam line were thrown into disarray on Sunday morning after a diesel-laden goods train caught fire near Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The incident, which took place around 5:30 AM, disrupted major rail operations along the Chennai–Bengaluru and Chennai–Tirupati routes, leading to multiple cancellations, diversions and delays.

According to Southern Railway, the fire broke out in a goods train travelling from Chennai Harbour to Walajah Road Siding. The blaze, which spread across 18 wagons, prompted the shutdown of overhead power supply as a safety measure. No casualties were reported, and emergency teams were immediately deployed to the site. As a result, train movement on the Chennai–Arakkonam route came to a halt for several hours.

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Train Services Affected:

- A total of 8 express trains were cancelled, 5 were diverted, and 8 were short-terminated due to the incident.

- All EMU local train services between Chennai and Arakkonam were temporarily suspended.

Among The Affected Trains Were:

- Dr MGR Chennai Central–Nagarsol Express

- Brindavan Superfast Express to KSR Bengaluru

- Double Decker Express to Bengaluru

- Saptagiri Express to Tirupati

- Chennai–Coimbatore Shatabdi Express

- Chennai–Coimbatore Kovai Superfast Express

- Chennai–Mysuru Vande Bharat Express

Southern Railway issued an updated bulletin with specific operational changes:

Fully Cancelled:

- 16053 Dr MGR Chennai Central–Tirupati Express (scheduled at 14:25 hrs)

Partially Cancelled / Change In Origin:

- 16203 Dr MGR Chennai Central–Tirupati Express will now originate from Tiruttani (partial cancellation between Chennai Central and Tiruttani)

- 22698 Chennai Central–Hubballi Express will now start from Jolarpettai

- 16551 Chennai Central–Ashokapuram Express will now begin from Arakkonam

Changes in the pattern of Train Services!

Following the fire accident near Tiruvallur Overhead power supply has been
switched off as a safety precaution. All efforts have been taken to put off the
fire.

Consequently, the following are changes in the pattern of train services: pic.twitter.com/YrQAoIoR34

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) July 13, 2025

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Rescheduled:

- 12695 Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram Express (delayed by 2h 40m, now departs at 18:00 hrs)

- 22160 Chennai–Mumbai CST Express (delayed by 2h 45m, now departs at 16:00 hrs)

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation arranged over 170 special buses to assist passengers stranded by rail disruptions.

Railway officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Restoration efforts are underway under the supervision of senior railway and district administration teams. Train services were expected to gradually resume from 3:30 PM, though incoming trains to Chennai may continue to face delays of up to five hours.