Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts have been receiving moderate to heavy rains for the past few days, raising the possibility of landslides on the track.
In view of the possibility of rain and landslides on the track, services on the Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Rail (NMR) from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam have been canceled till December 14.
Sources in the department said on Sunday that since both Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts have been receiving moderate to heavy rains for the past few days, the railways has decided to cancel the services till December 14 in view of the safety of the passengers.
Due to landslides and falling boulders on the track since September, train services between Mettupalayam, a major tourist attraction, the starting point and Coonoor, 15 km from Queen of Hills Udagamandalam, had to be frequently cancelled.
A landslide occurred near Kallar and Hillgrove, 10 km from Mettupalayam, and passengers had to be brought back in buses.
He said that keeping in view the safety of the passengers and the rains during the northeast monsoon, the railways canceled the services and efforts were on to clear all the debris and make the track a safe route.
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