AC hose split scares Pallavan passengers

The passengers in the C3 compartment were the most affected in the split as the air-conditioning in the coach dipped to the lowest level. Passengers in the two other AC chair cars also felt the effects of the split. Alarmed passengers pulled the emergency chain and stopped the train. 

The AC mechanic, who was the only available railway technical person on board, was helpless as he lacked the equipment to fix the problem, as he had to get under the carriage near the wagon coupling to carry out the repairs. Efforts to have a quick fix with the available materials proved futile. 

Somehow, the train chugged into Viruddhachalam junction where an alternative hose was procured and the split was repaired. Due to this, the express, which was to reach Villupuram by 9.30 am, arrived there at 11 am. It finally reached Chennai Egmore more than an hour behind schedule at 1.30 pm. Passengers heaved a sigh of relief as the Railway officials got the train ready to send it back as Vaigai Express.