Boulders roll down hills onto Koraput–Kirandul railway line, ECoR cancels passenger trains

Train services on the Visakhapatnam–Kirandul route were disrupted early Sunday after large boulders rolled onto the railway track between Tyada and Chipurupalli stations in Andhra Pradesh.

The development led the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to cancel multiple passenger trains on the vital Koraput–Kirandul (KK) line that connects Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Boulder Fall Blocks Railway Track

According to East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials, the incident occurred around 4 am when heavy rocks from a nearby hillside crashed onto the KK railway line, obstructing both up and down movements. Railway staff immediately suspended traffic through the affected section to avoid further risks.

A team of engineers and trackmen was deployed to the site to clear the boulders and repair the damaged stretch. Restoration work began at dawn, and the section is expected to reopen for traffic by afternoon once safety inspections are complete, said sources.

Passenger Trains Cancelled

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

Further movement of trains on the tracks is likely to be announced after the clearing operation concludes this afternoon.

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Freight Train Engine Derails On Impact

Reports also added that a goods train was reportedly hit by a fallen boulder on the same stretch between Chimidipalli and Tyada stations. The engine derailed due to the collision, but no injuries were reported.

It is worth noting that the ECoR has ruled out any casualties occurring because of the incident. However, since the KK line serves as a crucial rail corridor connecting Odisha’s Koraput district with the industrial regions of Chhattisgarh and the port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, vital services remain affected.