Chennai: Train services in the Chennai–Arakkonam section were thrown into chaos early Sunday morning after a massive fire broke out on a freight train carrying crude oil near Tiruvallur, about 43 km from Chennai Central. Thousands of passengers were affected as both suburban and long-distance train operations were suspended or cancelled.
The incident occurred around 4:45 am when a 45-coach freight train transporting crude oil from Ennore to Jolarpettai caught fire while passing through the Tiruvallur–Egattur section. Preliminary reports suggest the derailment of two wagons may have sparked the blaze, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
The fire quickly engulfed four coaches and spread further, producing towering flames and thick plumes of black smoke. Panic ensued among nearby residents, who were promptly evacuated as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far.
Fire and Rescue Services were immediately deployed to the scene. Five coaches were detached from the burning rake to prevent the fire from spreading. Restoration efforts are currently underway.
Tiruvallur District Collector M. Prathap visited the site and supervised the evacuation and firefighting measures. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Arakkonam unit, have also been pressed into service to assist with relief and containment operations.
Rail operations bore the brunt of the incident:
All suburban trains between Chennai and Arakkonam were suspended from 5 am.
Eight inbound express trains, including the Mangaluru Mail, Nilgiri Express, and Coimbatore Intercity, were short-terminated at stations between Arakkonam and Katpadi.
Eight outbound express trains from Chennai Central, including the Chennai–Mysuru Shatabdi and Chennai–Bengaluru Double Decker, were fully cancelled.
Four trains were diverted via Gudur and Renigunta routes.
Southern Railway officials have advised passengers to contact helpline numbers 044-25354151 and 044-24354995 for assistance and updated travel information.
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LONDON/MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has acquired the sword of Raghuji Bhosale, founder of the Nagpur Bhosale dynasty and a distinguished commander in the Maratha army under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, after winning it in an auction in London.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar formally took possession of the weapon on Monday. It is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on 18 August, where it will be received with ceremonial honours, as reported by The Indian Express.
News of the sword’s availability surfaced on 28 April this year. Minister Shelar consulted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after which the government began preparations to participate in the auction.
A group of Marathi-speaking residents in London gathered to witness the handover. Hemant Dalvi, Deputy Director of the Archaeology Department, accompanied the minister during the formalities.
The sword is an 18th-century Maratha Firangi. It has a straight, single-edged European blade with a gold-inlaid Mulheri hilt and near the hilt is the European manufacturer’s name, while the spine bears a gold-inlaid Devanagari inscription reading “Shreemant Raghoji Bhosale Senasahib Subha Firang,” confirming its connection to Raghuji Bhosale. The hilt’s gold koftgari work and the green cloth-wrapped rounded pommel add to its rarity as Maratha weapons of the period typically lacked elaborate ornamentation or inscriptions.
Raghuji Bhosale I, ruled from Nagpur between 1695 and 1755. He expanded Maratha influence into Bengal, Odisha, Chanda, Chhattisgarh, Sambalpur and parts of southern India. His military campaigns, included victories over the Nawabs of Bengal, Cuddapah and Kurnool. The Nagpur kingdom was also known for its rich deposits of iron and copper, used for weapons and trade.
While few historians believe that the sword left India in the early 19th century, as part of the war booty taken by the British East India Company after their victory over the Bhosales at the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, others say it was taken later as a diplomatic gift.
The sword will be escorted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to PL Deshpande Kala Academy in Dadar by a ceremonial bike rally upon its arrival in Mumbai next week. A cultural programme titled Gad Garjana will be held the same day in the presence of state dignitaries.
Minister Shelar described the acquisition as an important moment for Maharashtra’s heritage and extended his thanks to the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for their support in securing the artefact.