279 Passengers Rescued via Bus on Najibabad-Kotdwar Line
Severe weather conditions on Sunday, October 11, 2026, led to significant disruption on the Najibabad-Kotdwar branch line. To assist stranded travelers, Indian Railways deployed buses to transport 279 passengers after heavy rainfall and strong winds blocked the tracks.
Weather Chaos and Electrical Faults
The disruption was caused by intense winds and heavy rain, which resulted in approximately a dozen trees falling across the railway tracks. This incident forced an overnight suspension of all rail operations on the branch line.
Adding to the complexity, a technical fault occurred in a high-tension electrical line near Sneh Road. As a safety precaution, the Kotdwar-Anand Vihar Express had to be rerouted back to Kotdwar, leaving many commuters in a difficult position.
Rapid Response and Passenger Assistance
In a swift coordination effort, railway authorities worked with Roadways to provide three buses. These vehicles successfully transported the 279 passengers from the affected train to Najibabad.
For those traveling on the Anand Vihar to Kotdwar service who were left stranded at Najibabad, the railways issued refunds for their onward journeys to ease the inconvenience.
Restoration and Inspection
Relief arrived by Monday morning, October 12, 2026, as the damaged electrification line was fully restored. Paritosh Gautam, the Additional