Sources in the Eastern Railway said the coal-laden goods train was coming from Paradip in Odisha.
Long-distance trains, except for a few, were being run through diverted routes -- either by Howrah-Burdwan Chord line or by Bandel-Katwa-Azimganj line, they said.
Divisional Railway Manager of Howrah Division Anirban Datta, accompanied by other senior officers, reached the spot by a special train to supervise and expedite the restoration work.
A number of trains have either been cancelled or re-scheduled due to the incident today, the sources said.
The cancelled trains included 13503-Up Sealdah-Asansol intercity Express and 53135-Up Sealdah-Rampurhat Passenger from Sealdah, 13157-Up Kolkata-Muzaffarpur Tirhut Express and 13111-Up Lalqluilla Express from Kolkata station and 13039-Up Howrah-Delhi Janata Express, 13011-Up Howrah-Malda Express, 13027-Up Howrah-Azimganj Express and some other trains from Howrah station.
The 12331-Up Howrah-Jammu Tawi Himgiri Express and 13019-Up Howrah-Kathgodam Express, scheduled for the day, would be leaving here on December 26 at 07.00 hours and 02.00 hours (midnight) respectively, the sources added.
