Rajgir/Patna: A major accident was narrowly averted in Bihar’s Nalanda district when the Rajgir–Haridwar special train (03223) made an emergency stop just 10 meters short of a crowd of about 300 people standing on the railway tracks during a protest on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred between Imli Bigha and Vena Halt, where villagers had gathered on the tracks from around 3 pm to 7 pm to protest severe waterlogging in a railway underpass that, they said, has cut off access for a dozen villages after heavy rains. The underpass—built to replace a previously used level crossing—was reportedly submerged under 15 feet of water, making it difficult for residents to take children to school or ferry patients to hospitals.
According to loco pilot Deepak Kumar, the train was running at the permitted speed after departing the previous station when he suddenly spotted a large crowd, some holding red flags, directly ahead. He immediately applied emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt approximately 10 meters before the protesters. “If the brakes were not applied on time, there could have been a huge loss of life and property,” he said, adding that the sudden presence of hundreds on the track was alarming and left the crew fearing mass casualties.
Passengers onboard faced hours-long delays, with the train immobilized from around 3:10 pm amid tense scenes. The blockade raised serious concerns about rail safety during public demonstrations, particularly on busy routes where trains travel at higher speeds and have long braking distances.
Police and administration officials, led by Sadar DSP-2 Sanjay Jaiswal, arrived at the scene with a force and negotiated with the protesters. After several hours of persuasion, the villagers cleared the track. Senior railway officials also reached the site and assured residents that their grievances regarding the flooded underpass would be addressed on priority, including alternative arrangements and remedial measures to prevent future waterlogging.
