Smoke rises from MEMU train in Kerala; Service halted for nearly five hours

Kayamkulam (Kerala): A MEMU train travelling from Ernakulam to Kayamkulam via Kottayam was halted after smoke was spotted billowing from it. Railway officials stated that a brake binding (brakes getting jammed) caused the smoke. Due to the jammed brakes, the train could not resume its journey and was moved from the spot only after five hours. This disrupted the schedules of other trains, with services including the Jan Shatabdi, Sabari Express and Kollam MEMU being detained at various stations.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning at around 11.10 am near the Kayamkulam Nadakkavu gate. Smoke was seen rising from the wheel area underneath the rear coach. Track maintenance workers near Earezha first noticed the smoke as the MEMU passed by and alerted the gatekeepers at a nearby level crossing. Upon confirming the smoke, the gatekeepers informed the Kayamkulam and Mavelikara railway stations. Station authorities immediately alerted the loco pilot, who subsequently brought the train to a halt.

Fire and Rescue Services and railway officials rushed to the spot to conduct an inspection. A bearing failure had led to the brake malfunction, rendering the train unable to proceed. Around 4.30 pm, an Accident Relief Train arrived from Thiruvananthapuram and towed the faulty MEMU to the Kayamkulam station. The stranded train was originally scheduled to return to Ernakulam from Kayamkulam at 3.20 pm. Following the breakdown, a replacement MEMU was brought in from Kollam to operate the return service.