THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ KOCHI: Thiruvananthapuram railway division suspended all train services on Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Shoranur-Palakkad sections till 4pm on Friday citing landslips, heavy rain, rising water level under bridges. The major stations of Palakkad division are Palakkad Jn, Shoranur Jn, Kozhikode , Kannur, Kasaragod, Mangaluru Jn and Mangaluru central.Waterlogging and mudslide on tracks in many parts of central Kerala affected train services towards north and south Kerala right from 7am. As many 16 passenger trains were cancelled and 15 trains were diverted and regulated on Thursday.Later in the day, railways informed that it had resumed services towards Ernakulam via Alappuzha from the capital. Services through Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil-Tirunelveli will continue under suitable speed restrictions.“Considering the safety of passengers, many trains were regulated at different stations. Speed restriction have been imposed in various sensitive locations where trains are now running between 10 km/hr and 45 km/hr. Train services are likely to resume normal operations within three to four days due to cancellations and late running of trains,” said a statement issued by Thiruvananthapuram railway division.Earlier in the day, as railway tracks on Thiruvalla-Chengannur stretch were waterlogged and train services towards south Kerala were suspended, forcing trains to halt at various parts on the way. Services to north Kerala were suspended as water level rose close to railway tracks near Aluva bridge. Tracks at Chalakudy and Wadakkanchery were waterlogged and there were reports of mudslides.Meanwhile, suspension of trains infuriated passengers who were stranded in railway stations across the state. Infuriated passengers argued with officials at Ernakulam Junction station over the indefinite delay. “We had suspended all trains in both directions owing to various disruptions. Passengers are understandably angry. But we cannot resume services until heavy rain recedes and waterlogging ends on tracks. Services will resume after our engineers submit a certificate on the strength of tracks,” said a senior official at Ernakulam Junction.Trains from Palakkad were also suspended services as water in Bharatappuzha rose close to railway tracks. The departure time of trains to Chennai from Mangaluru Central has been deferred.

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