Patna: Rail services in Bihar were severely disrupted on Sunday after a goods train derailed and dense fog enveloped the Jamui district, affecting the Delhi–Howrah main line. The incident caused widespread cancellations and diversions, leaving passengers facing significant delays.
Eight wagons of a goods train derailed near kilometre post 344/05, between Lahaban and Simultala stations of the Asansol division, at around 11:25 pm on Saturday. The derailment halted operations on both the Up and Down lines, prompting the dispatch of Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) from Asansol, Madhupur, and Jhajha. Railway teams are working on restoration, but normal services will only resume after track repairs and safety checks are completed.
As a precaution, the East Central Railway cancelled 14 trains on Sunday, including six MEMU services. An additional 53 trains were diverted, while six others were partially started or terminated to ease congestion. Passengers were advised to check the status of their trains before travelling.
Notable diversions included Howrah-bound trains from Patna being routed via Gaya. The Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Express was rerouted through Gaya to Asansol, while the Punjab Mail ran via Jasidih on the Banka–Kiul route. Other major diversions included the Howrah–Rajendra Nagar Express via Madhupur and the South Bihar Express through Bakhtiyarpur to Ara.
The Patna–Dhanbad Express operated via Gaya, and the Patliputra Express ran from Bakhtiyarpur to Patna via Gomoh–Koderma–Tilaiya. The Tata–Buxar Express was diverted via Gaya, and the Akal Takht Express was cancelled between Asansol and Patna, running instead directly to DDU Junction on a revised route.
Trains affected by cancellations included the Sealdah–Ballia Express, Howrah–Dehradun Kumbh Express, Mokama–Howrah Express, Howrah–Mokama Express, Kolkata–Sitamarhi Mithilanchal Express, and Howrah–Amritsar Mail, along with several MEMU services connecting Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, and Deoghar. Some cancellations will continue on Monday.
Six trains were short-originated or terminated, including the Deoghar–Patna MEMU and Jasidih–Patna Express, while dozens of other services, including the Gorakhpur–Kolkata and New Delhi–Howrah trains, were rerouted to alternative lines.
Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, confirmed that restoration work is ongoing and urged passengers to remain updated on train schedules.
