Bhubaneswar, 19 October (H.S.): Train services on the Visakhapatnam–Kirandul route were disrupted early Sunday after massive boulders tumbled down a hillside onto the railway tracks between Tyada and Chipurupalli stations in Andhra Pradesh.

According to officials of the East Coast Railway (ECoR), the incident occurred around 4 a.m., when heavy rocks from the slopes adjacent to the Koraput–Kirandul (KK) line fell onto the tracks, blocking both up and down movements. Train operations through the affected stretch were immediately suspended to prevent any untoward incident.

Railway engineers and maintenance crews were swiftly deployed to the site to clear the debris and assess the damage. Restoration work began at daybreak, and the section is expected to be reopened for traffic by Sunday afternoon after a detailed safety inspection, sources said.

In view of the obstruction, ECoR announced the cancellation of the Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Passenger (Train No. 58501) and its return service, Kirandul–Visakhapatnam Passenger (Train No. 58502), scheduled for October 19.

Officials added that alternative arrangements are being explored for stranded passengers and that efforts are underway to ensure the prompt resumption of normal rail operations on the key corridor linking Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda