JOSTLING MATCH: Cancellation and delay in train services resulted in heavy rush at the Vijayawada railway station on Wednesday. — PHOTO: RAJU. V.

VIJAYAWADA: Ramachandra Rao came in puffing and panting. Pulling out a damp handkerchief from his wet pocket, he wiped the water dripping from his face. With giant steps, he headed straight to the crowded enquiry counter. Even as he jostled to move closer to the counter, the voice in the microphone announced that the Ongole-bound passenger train had been cancelled owing to heavy stagnation of water on the track. The crease on his forehead deepened into a frown and he cursed officials, and, of course, the rain under his breathe. An accountant in a private company, Rao wanted to board the Ongole-bound passenger service. "The rain always plays spoilsport. I have been postponing my journey for the last couple of days owing to the downpour. I was hoping things to be alright at least today, but that was not to be," he says sadly, squeezing water from his kerchief.

Delay and cancellation of train services resulted in heavy rush at the Vijayawada railway station. Passengers, who were caught unawares, clamoured for alternative options at the enquiry counters, while others were forced to postpone their travel. People queued up at counters to get their reservation cancelled.

Anxious wait

After an anxious wait at the enquiry, Lakshmi Prasanna decided to return home when she learnt that the Machilipatnam-bound passenger train would go only up to Gudivada. "There is total confusion with regard to the timings. I would rather postpone the journey than inviting risk," says the girl apprehensively.

All passenger trains in the Gudivada-Machilipatnam and Repalle-Tenali sectors were cancelled, while some other services like the one from Visakhapatnam to Machilipatnam and the Delta Express were partially cancelled.

"We cannot take any risk as rainwater is overflowing on tracks. We will review the situation by Thursday morning and perhaps by afternoon, restore all services," says Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the South Central Railway, Vijayawada, G. John Prasad.

But the scene at platform numbers two and three was contrary to the buzz at the enquiry and ticket counters. With the cancellation of passenger services, porters did not have work and they sat on the floor chitchatting or reading newspapers.

At the Pandit Nehru Bus Station, many people got their tickets cancelled after learning that Avanigadda-bound buses were going only up to Pamarru.

Services between Vijayawada and Machilipatnam were also delayed with roads waterlogged.

Most passengers chose to find alternatives to sitting and waiting for these services.

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