Chennai:
It was a narrow escape for passengers of Tiruchirapalli-Chennai Rockfort Express after the railway track was found cut near Perani railway station of Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. The train was coming from Trichy.
The authorities suspect a bomb blast blew up the railway tracks. A three-feet-deep crater has been caused by the blast when the train was coming towards the station at around 2:10 am, they say.
The station master cautioned the driver of the train, who applied emergency brakes averting a major train disaster.
The train services, which were earlier suspended following the blast, have now been restored.
All the stranded trains will reach Chennai by 11 am. A manhunt has also been launched for the culprits.
Intelligence officials have ruled out Maoist hand behind the blast. They suspect pro-LTTE elements triggered the blast because posters have been found at the site hailing Prabhakaran and condemning Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's visit to India.
(With PTI inputs)