Mahad (Maha): Incessant rains have hit relief operations at Amboli, some 17 kms from Mahad, where two bogies and an engine of the Mangalore-Kurla Matsyagandha Express train derailed and collapsed from a bridge following landslide on the Konkan railway route, killing 14 people and leaving 62 injured.

Till late last night (Jun 16, 2004), Konkan Railway authorities were busy helping the injured and administering treatment at local hospitals and in Mumbai, while works to remove the mangled remains of the bogies and the blockages had also begun.

However, rains have been pouring down since late last night and the relief operation has slowed down considerably, official sources said.

Two huge cranes of Konkan Railway meant for evacuation of bogies have arrived from Vashi in Navi Mumbai and Verle near Goa, and are likely to be pressed into service today (Jun 17, 2004), sources further said.

The derailed bogies of Matsyagandha Express are still lying on the rail route and will be removed today. The track repair works will be taken there after and the trial run will begin by the end of the day before normal traffic is restored on the Konkan Railway route, KR spokesperson said.