Fire on Delhi-Bound Rajdhani Express in MP’s Ratlam Disrupts Rail Traffic for Over Seven Hours.
Ratlam/Kota:
A major fire broke out in a Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district early Sunday morning, damaging two coaches and severely disrupting rail movement on the busy Mumbai–Delhi route for several hours. Railway officials confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident.
The fire erupted around 5:15 am in the B-1 coach of the Thiruvananthapuram–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (Train No. 12431) between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha railway stations under the Kota division of the railways. The blaze also spread to the adjacent luggage-cum-guard van attached behind the coach.
According to West Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Harshit Shrivastava, the train had departed from Ratlam Junction at approximately 3:45 am before the incident occurred.
Passengers Evacuated Safely
Railway authorities acted swiftly after the fire was detected. The affected B-1 coach, which was carrying nearly 68 passengers, was evacuated within 15 minutes. Officials stated that the prompt response helped prevent casualties and averted a larger disaster.
As a precautionary measure, the overhead electric power supply on the route was immediately switched off, allowing firefighting operations to begin safely. The blaze was later brought under control, and the damaged coach was detached from the train.
The Rajdhani Express resumed its onward journey towards New Delhi at around 9:45 am after alternative arrangements were made for passengers. Railway officials said passengers from the affected coach were accommodated in other coaches up to Kota in Rajasthan.
Rail Services Hit on Mumbai–Delhi Route
The incident significantly affected train operations on the crucial Mumbai–Delhi corridor. Railway authorities reported that the fire damaged overhead electrical equipment, leading to delays and temporary halts for several trains.
Kota railway PRO Ravindra Lakhara stated that the movement of at least 13 passenger trains was impacted due to the disruption.
“The repair work on the overhead equipment on the Delhi-bound up line was completed around 1 pm, while restoration work on the down Delhi–Mumbai line was completed earlier at around 8:30 am,” Lakhara said.
Rail traffic was fully restored after more than seven hours of repair and restoration work.
Rescue and Restoration Operations
Ratlam Divisional Railway Manager Ajay Kumar Kalara personally monitored the rescue and restoration efforts. Railway authorities deployed a relief train and a tower wagon to the site to expedite repair work and restore normal operations.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Separate Accident Injures Five Railway Staffers
In a related development, five railway employees were injured while travelling in a van carrying repair equipment for overhead electric line restoration work.
Officials said the accident occurred when the vehicle was travelling from Shyamnagar to Alot in Ratlam district and overturned after the driver attempted to avoid a cow that suddenly came onto the road.
One railway staffer sustained critical injuries, while the others suffered minor injuries. All injured personnel were initially taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to Kota, Rajasthan, for further treatment.
Railway authorities are continuing their investigation into both incidents.
