Passengers faced major travel disruptions today on the Konkan Railway route as a recurring water leak plagued the Pernem tunnel in Goa. The leak, which began yesterday afternoon, reemerged with greater intensity early this morning, forcing the cancellation and diversion of numerous trains.
Heavy monsoon rains in the region are suspected to be the cause of
the water ingress into the tunnel. The Konkan Railway Corporation (KRCL)
initially managed to clear the blockage and resume services by late Tuesday
night. However, the leak reappeared at around 3 am on Wednesday, causing
significant disruption to the busy railway route.
Several prominent trains, including the highly anticipated Mumbai
CSMT-Madgaon Jn. Vande Bharat Express and the Janshatabdi Express on the same
route, were cancelled today due to the closure of the tunnel. Other trains
faced diversions or partial cancellations, leaving passengers stranded at
various stations.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Goa, predicting exceptionally heavy rainfall throughout the day. This has further complicated efforts by KRCL to permanently address the leak and restore normal train operations.
While the exact timeline for repairs remains unclear, KRCL
officials are urging passengers to check the latest train information online or
contact railway enquiry before embarking on their journeys. Passengers who have
already booked tickets on cancelled trains are likely to be eligible for full
refunds.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of Konkan Railway
infrastructure to extreme weather events. The KRCL will need to take swift
action to ensure the structural integrity of the tunnels and implement measures
to prevent similar disruptions in the future.