In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on Saturday, two passengers lost their lives when a Delhi-bound train experienced a sudden jolt and came to an emergency stop due to a snapped overhead electric wire in Jharkhand’s Koderma district. The unfortunate event occurred near Parsabad, situated between Gomoh and Koderma railway stations, at precisely 12:05 pm, as the driver of the Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express applied the emergency brake to bring the train to a halt after the overhead electric wire fell onto the locomotive, according to East Central Railway (ECR) officials.
The abrupt stop resulted in a fatal jolt, leading to the tragic demise of two passengers. Senior Divisional Commerce Manager of Dhanbad Railway Division, Ameresh Kumar, remarked, “As electric supply stopped all of a sudden, the emergency brake was applied to stop the train, and two persons died due to the jerk.” Shockingly, the train was traveling at a significant speed of 130 kmph at the time of the incident, exacerbating the severity of the impact.
Following the incident, train operations along the grand chord line under the Dhanbad Railway Division of ECR were brought to a standstill for over four hours, as railway authorities grappled with the immediate aftermath of the accident. The response teams initiated the challenging process of assessing the damage, ensuring passenger safety, and devising a strategy for restoring railway services in the affected Koderma-Gomoh section.
In a swift and meticulous operation, the Purushottam Express was brought to Gomoh by a diesel engine dispatched from the accident site. It was subsequently transferred to an electric engine for its journey to Delhi. This operational shift allowed authorities to minimize disruptions and resume train services on the affected route as expeditiously as possible.
Upon receiving news of the tragic incident, Dhanbad Railway Division Manager KK Sinha, along with a team of senior officials, rushed to the scene. Their prompt arrival underscored the urgency and seriousness of the situation, as they sought to investigate the causes of the accident and provide support to the affected passengers and their families.
As the investigation unfolds, several critical questions are being raised regarding the circumstances that led to the snapping of the overhead electric wire and the subsequent emergency stop of the Purushottam Express. Safety measures and maintenance protocols will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, as passengers and railway officials alike grapple with the shock and sorrow of the loss of two lives.
This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks and challenges faced by India’s extensive railway network, one of the world’s largest and busiest. While advancements in technology and infrastructure have led to improvements in rail travel safety, unforeseen events like this underscore the need for constant vigilance, maintenance, and modernization efforts.
Passengers and their families affected by the incident are receiving support and assistance from railway authorities, including counseling services and necessary medical attention. The Indian Railways has a long history of prioritizing passenger safety, and it is expected that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the root causes of this unfortunate incident.
As the investigation continues, authorities will work diligently to determine whether any negligence or maintenance issues contributed to the snapped electric wire incident. Additionally, steps may be taken to enhance safety protocols and preventive measures to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.
The loss of two lives in this train incident is a sobering reminder of the need for constant attention to safety measures in the railway sector. The Indian Railways has made significant strides in improving passenger safety in recent years, but this incident underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers who rely on the country’s vast railway network.
The thoughts and condolences of the nation go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased passengers during this difficult time. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will work tirelessly to provide answers and take measures to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future, reinforcing the commitment to passenger safety on India’s railways.
