Ara/Patna: A major rail accident was narrowly averted near Ara Junction in Bihar early Sunday morning after the wheels of two coaches of the Mahananda Express derailed in the yard area.
The train, travelling from Delhi to Alipurduar, was passing through the Up line near the Ara Junction yard when the incident occurred at around 4am. Most passengers were reportedly asleep when the train experienced a sudden jolt and came to an abrupt halt, causing panic inside the coaches.
Derailment near yard after scheduled halt
According to railway sources, the Mahananda Express had arrived at Ara Junction early Sunday and resumed its journey after its scheduled stop. Shortly afterwards, the wheels of two coaches reportedly derailed in the yard area near the junction.
The train was brought to a halt and the situation was brought under control.
The alertness of the train driver is reported to have helped prevent a more serious accident, although the exact circumstances surrounding the derailment remain under investigation.
Railway teams inspect site
Railway officials, technical personnel and other staff rushed to the site after being informed about the incident.
A technical team inspected the affected section and began investigating whether the derailment was linked to the track, points or another technical issue.
Railway officials have not yet established the cause of the incident. The findings of the technical investigation are expected to provide clarity.
Up-line operations disrupted
The derailment disrupted train movement on the Up line at Ara Junction.
Other trains using the route were also affected, with reports that services including the Punjab Mail and Vibhuti Express were halted at different locations.
Operations on the affected Up line had not resumed at the time of reporting.
No official confirmation of casualties
There is currently no official confirmation of any passenger casualties in the incident.
The extent of damage to the coaches and railway infrastructure, as well as the precise cause of the derailment, will be known after the technical assessment is completed.
The incident has raised questions about rail safety and track maintenance in the area. However, railway authorities are yet to establish any specific cause, and attributing the derailment to a particular technical or maintenance failure would be premature until the investigation is complete.
