Karmabhumi Express Fire: 4 Coaches Blaze in Punjab; No Casualties
A major tragedy was averted after fire broke out in four coaches of the Karmabhumi Express near Rajpura, Punjab. Passengers were safely evacuated.
A major disaster was narrowly averted on Friday when a fire broke out across four coaches of the Amritsar-to-New Jalpaiguri Karmabhumi Express near the Sarai Banjara station in Punjab. The incident occurred within the Ambala division, but thanks to rapid intervention, no casualties or injuries have been reported.
Automated Safety System Prevents Tragedy
The unreserved train, which was en route from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri, came to a safe halt after its automated safety system was triggered near Sarai Banjara. This critical mechanism allowed the train to stop and enabled passengers to evacuate the coaches before the flames could spread further or cause harm.
According to Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, fire tenders and senior officials rushed to the location immediately. Their swift action brought the blaze under control and secured the site, preventing a potential mass casualty event.
Passenger Relief and Emergency Logistics
Given that the Karmabhumi Express is an unreserved train, it typically carries a high volume of passengers, including daily travelers and migrant workers. To ensure that no passenger was left stranded on the tracks, the railway authorities implemented an immediate emergency transfer plan.
The logistics for passenger relief included:
- Evacuation: Passengers were guided on foot to a nearby station located approximately 500 meters away.
- Alternative Transport: A replacement train was promptly dispatched to pick up the passengers.
- Journey Completion: The alternative service will ensure passengers reach their destinations in New Jalpaiguri or other intermediate stops.
Investigation Into the Cause Launched
While the immediate priority was passenger safety and logistics, the cause of the fire remains a mystery. Railway authorities have confirmed that a formal technical probe will be conducted to investigate the following possibilities:
- Electrical line failures or short circuits.
- Mechanical system malfunctions within the coaches.
- Potential external factors.
Three coaches reportedly suffered severe fire damage, while a fourth coach was partially impacted by the blaze.
Official Statement from Ambala Division
Addressing the media at the site, Yashanjit Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) of the Ambala Division, emphasized the priority of passenger welfare:
"This is currently a matter of inquiry. We will have to look into the cause. Our primary concern right now is ensuring that the passengers reach their destinations safely. To that end, we have arranged an alternative train. We have received no information regarding any casualties. Three coaches caught fire; a fourth one was also slightly affected... Our main focus right now is ensuring that the passengers reach home safely."
The Karmabhumi Express is a vital long-distance link connecting Amritsar in the west to New Jalpaiguri in the east, serving a massive number of travelers across Northern and Eastern India.