Technical Glitch Averted Major Incident at Ludhiana Railway Station
Incident at Ludhiana Railway Station
A significant accident was narrowly avoided on Saturday morning at Ludhiana Railway Station when a special train heading to Vaishno Devi experienced a technical malfunction shortly after departing, causing panic among passengers. The incident occurred on the New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Special (04081) train, which was carrying approximately 1,200 passengers. According to railway officials, a loud noise was heard just after the train left the station around 9 AM, prompting passengers to flee from the affected coaches due to fears of an explosion.
Clarification from Railway Authorities
Initial reports suggested that a part of the sleeper coach's toilet had broken, raising concerns of a possible explosion. However, railway officials later clarified that the incident was due to a technical issue rather than an explosion. Samir Verma, the ADC of Ludhiana, stated that preliminary investigations revealed structural damage near the toilet area of the S-2 coach. Railway engineers suspect that a flaw in the welding may have caused a crack in the panel, leading to its detachment.
Passenger Safety Ensured
Verma confirmed that while the loud noise caused panic among passengers, no explosion occurred, and all passengers were safe with no injuries reported. He urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors. Sanjeev Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Firozpur division, mentioned that the train arrived at Ludhiana at 8:47 AM and was about to depart when the malfunction was detected. According to the DRM, a panel in the S-2 coach failed during the train's operation, but the staff acted promptly to halt the train before the situation worsened.
Further Investigations Underway
Kumar indicated that the exact source of the loud noise and the cause of the malfunction would be determined after a thorough technical investigation. The affected coach is approximately 15 years old, while railway coaches are typically designed for a lifespan of 25 years. Railway officials have separated the damaged coaches and initiated arrangements for the train to resume its journey. Most passengers were accommodated in alternative coaches, while some were transferred to other trains, including the Malwa Express.