Suburban electric train services on the busy Chennai Beach–Tambaram route were hit by a major disruption on Friday morning after a signal failure forced trains to stop at various points along the line.Railway officials said a technical glitch in the signalling system caused multiple trains to halt, leading to long delays and severe inconvenience for commuters. Electric trains were reported to have stopped for extended periods between key stations, including Nungambakkam, Chetpet and Egmore, as services came to a near standstill on the affected section.
Thousands of passengers faced a difficult journey as services were curtailed and movement slowed, with many commuters forced to wait on crowded platforms. Some travellers reportedly disembarked and walked along the tracks to reach nearby stations or find alternative transport due to the prolonged delay.
The disruption coincided with ongoing maintenance work and reduced train schedules on the suburban network, intensifying the impact on daily travellers. Officials have been working to restore normal operations, but commuters were advised to expect delays and make travel arrangements accordingly.
The signal failure highlights ongoing challenges on the suburban rail network, which serves as a vital lifeline for daily office-goers, students and other passengers across the city.