The Nilgiris: A heavy boulder that fell on the NMR track disrupted train services from Mettupalayam-Coonoor, much to the disappointment of tourists who had booked well in advance just for a ride on the NMR train.
The Nilgiris: A heavy boulder that fell on the NMR track disrupted train services from Mettupalayam-Coonoor, much to the disappointment of tourists who had booked well in advance just for a ride on the NMR train.
With 200 tourists on board, the NMR train left the Mettupalayam railway station this morning and was headed toward Coonoor. When the train reached the Hillgrove station, a boulder reportedly hurtled down and fell on the railway track, causing damage. The driver of the train noticed the boulder hurtling down and stopped the train on time.
Owing to the maintenance work on the tracks, the NMR train was sent back to Mettupalayam.
Subsequently the Railway Administration was informed of the damage to the tracks, and railway employees arrived at the scene later and began repairing the damaged tracks. However, the passengers of the train were left stranded in the middle of the forest since the railway staff were unable to move the boulder away from the track even after working hard for two hours.
As the repair work was still not completed, the train was unable to resume its journey and sent back to Mettupalayam. Tourists had to return to Kallar in the NMR train and were transported to Ooty through TNSTC buses, leaving them thorughly disappointed since they had booked for a ride on the NMR two months ahead.