Gitanjali Express Tragedy: Cancer Patient Dies Amid 12-Hour Delay
A cancer patient died on the delayed Gitanjali Express, leaving passengers to wait hours for body removal.
A somber atmosphere gripped the Gitanjali Express (12859) as a 45-year-old cancer patient passed away during a journey from Mumbai to Howrah. The incident has sparked significant outrage among passengers, who allege that a massive 12-hour delay contributed to a harrowing experience for those on board.
The deceased, identified as Vinod Paswan from Bhatpara, West Bengal, was traveling home after receiving medical treatment at the renowned Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday morning, turning a long-distance journey into a distressing ordeal for fellow travelers.
Passengers Forced to Wait During Massive Delay
According to reports, the train was running approximately 12 hours behind its scheduled time when the incident occurred. Passengers traveling in coach M-2 alerted the Traveling Ticket Examiner (TTE) around 8:00 AM on Saturday after noticing that Paswan had passed away.
However, the situation became increasingly difficult for those on board. Passengers alleged that despite notifying railway officials early in the morning, no immediate action was taken to handle the situation or remove the body. Consequently, travelers were forced to remain in the same coach with the deceased for several hours, creating an incredibly distressing environment.
Social Media Outcry and GRP Intervention
As the train approached Tatanagar Junction in Jharkhand, the frustration among passengers boiled over. Travelers took to social media to highlight the incident, tagging Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Rail Madad platform to demand urgent intervention from the authorities.
The standoff finally concluded on Saturday night when the body was removed from the train at Tatanagar Junction. Following the standard procedures for deaths occurring during rail travel, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and medical teams took over to complete the necessary legal and medical formalities.