Muzaffarpur: Two major express trains—Vande Bharat and Saptkranti Express—were targeted in separate stone pelting incidents within 24 hours, once again raising serious questions about passenger safety on the Muzaffarpur-Narkatiaganj route in Bihar. The incidents have also sparked criticism of the response and working style of local railway police officials.
On Sunday morning, the Gorakhpur–Patliputra Vande Bharat Express was attacked between Mahwal and Motipur. A stone struck coach C-6, shattering the windowpane near berths 1 and 2. Fortunately, no passengers were seated there at the time. While the train’s triple-layered safety glass mitigated more severe damage, the matter was reported to the Sonpur and Samastipur control rooms, and repair work was undertaken at Muzaffarpur station.
Subsequent intelligence gathering by Motihari RPF Inspector Bharat Prasad indicated that a teenager may have thrown the stone while playing. The suspect has been identified, and video footage from the train’s external camera is being retrieved from Gorakhpur to verify the act before any legal action is taken.
This attack follows a similar incident just two weeks ago, on June 30, when two teenagers were found responsible for damaging coach C-5 of the Vande Bharat Express. Both were identified through video footage and are currently in a Muzaffarpur observation home.
In another case, the glass of the A-2 coach on the 12557 Saptkranti Express, travelling from Muzaffarpur to Anand Vihar (Delhi), was shattered near Harinagar in West Champaran on Saturday night. While the incident was promptly reported to the Sonpur and Samastipur control centres, the Narkatiaganj RPF Inspector reportedly remained uninformed, drawing criticism for lapses in communication and response.
This marked the second stone-pelting incident on the Saptkranti Express within four days. Earlier, window glass of the B-1 coach was broken near Kanpur. Following the latest attack, the damaged window in coach A-2 was replaced after the train reached Delhi.
Railway SP Veena Kumari has directed the Railway Police to heighten vigilance, while RPF Commandant has called for strict measures to curb such activities. Meanwhile, passenger Prashant Kumar, who witnessed the Harinagar incident, has filed a complaint with the Railway Minister and East Central Railway officials, urging a thorough investigation.
