A goods train carrying iron ore derailed near Hospet in Vijayanagara district on Friday morning, causing disruption of passenger train service on the Hubballi-Guntakal section. No casualties were reported in the incident.
According to railway officials, the incident occurred around 6.30 am when the 18th coach of the goods train, which was heading towards Guntakal from Toranagallu, derailed near the Hospet bypass cabin. The derailment damaged the track and the overhead electric wires, affecting the movement of trains on both the up and down lines.
As a result, several trains were cancelled, diverted or partially cancelled between Hubballi and Guntakal. Some of the affected trains were the Hubballi-Mysuru Hampi Express, the Hubballi-Secunderabad Express, the Hubballi-Bengaluru Janshatabdi Express, the Hubballi-Chennai Express and the Hubballi-Londa-Vasco Da Gama Express.
The railway authorities said that restoration work was in progress and the track was expected to be cleared by Friday evening. They also said that alternative arrangements were made for the passengers of the cancelled or diverted trains.
The cause of the derailment is yet to be ascertained. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
