CHENNAI: Weeks after a glitch forced passengers to deboard a train stalled in the underground tunnel, the Metro Rail service from MGR Chennai Central to Chennai airport through Koyambedu was temporarily suspended due to a technical glitch.

After the glitch, passengers travelling to the airport via the green line (via Anna Nagar and Koyambedu) were asked to interchange at Alandur Metro station, while passengers travelling from the green line to the blue line were requested to interchange at Alandur Metro station.

The glitch was reported around 8.30 am, during peak office hour traffic, forcing hundreds of commuters to look for alternative options.

"This has become more frequent than one would expect. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) must promptly act on the repeated issue before any untoward incidents unfold,” a passenger told DT Next.

"In June, a similar technical glitch was reported on the stretch towards the airport during the evening hours. As several people on board the train were returning from work and many others with luggage to travel were waiting to catch the Metro train to reach the airport, the disruption caused great difficulty for the passengers," recalled Hari, a regular commuter.

In yet another case of a technical glitch reported earlier in December, the passengers were forced to disembark the train in the middle of the tunnel and walk to the platform.

"This issue needs immediate inspection and attention from the government. Public transport must be reliable at all times. Repeated technical slag cannot be taken lightly," said another regular passenger.