Karmabhoomi Express Fire Near Rajpura: 1500 Passengers Safe
Four coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express caught fire near Rajpura. All 1,500 passengers were safely evacuated after the train's safety system triggered a stop.
A major disaster was narrowly averted on Friday, November 6, 2026, when a massive fire broke out in several coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express (Train No. 12508). The incident occurred near the Sarai Banjara station on the Rajpura-Sirhind section, located within the Ambala division of Punjab, as the Amritsar-bound train was heading toward New Jalpaiguri.
Automated Safety System Prevents Tragedy
While the sight of flames engulfing the coaches caused significant panic, the train's automated safety system functioned perfectly. The system successfully triggered an emergency stop, preventing a much larger catastrophe. Northern Railway CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay confirmed that all 1,500 passengers on board remained safe, with no casualties or serious injuries reported during the incident.
Extensive Damage to General Coaches
The fire primarily targeted the general coaches of the train, causing heavy damage to the rolling stock. According to official reports, the impact on the coaches was as follows:
- Three coaches were completely gutted by the intense flames.
- One coach sustained partial damage.
Emergency response teams, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and the local fire department, were immediately deployed to the site. Senior officials, including Ambala Division DCM Yashanjeet Singh and Patiala Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Agarwal, were present to oversee the rescue and management operations.
Evacuation and Traffic Disruptions
To ensure passenger safety, the damaged coaches were detached from the train. All passengers were successfully evacuated from the scene and transferred to another train to continue their journey to their respective destinations. However, the incident caused significant ripples across the rail network, resulting in the diversion of eight trains on the Rajpura-Sirhind section.
High-Level Inquiry Ordered
The railway administration has launched a high-level technical inquiry to pinpoint the exact cause of the blaze. While preliminary suspicions suggest a short circuit or a technical failure, officials are waiting for the final investigative report to confirm the findings. This incident comes at a time when Indian Railways has been issuing strict warnings against carrying flammable materials during the festive season.