The North Eastern Railway (NER) administration has initiated disciplinary action against a train guard following a significant operational delay at Gorakhpur Railway Station on Monday, August 18, 2026. The incident, involving the 15566 Vaishali Express, resulted in a lengthy standoff that impacted multiple train schedules. Key details of the incident include:
- The 15566 Vaishali Express (New Delhi to Lalitgram) was delayed by 38 to 69 minutes at Gorakhpur.
- The guard, Ramashish Das, refused to depart, citing the lack of a functional chair in his compartment.
- The delay caused a ripple effect, stalling the Lucknow-Patliputra Express for approximately one hour.
- The East Central Railway (ECR) has issued a formal show-cause notice requiring an explanation within three days.
The Incident at Gorakhpur Station
According to reports, the guard, Ramashish Das, who is currently eight months away from retirement, refused to signal the departure of the train from Platform No. 2. He contended that it is not feasible to safely operate a train traveling at speeds exceeding 100 km/h for an eight-hour shift without adequate seating. The standoff created significant disruption for hundreds of passengers waiting on board and those affected by the cascading delays at the station.
Railway officials intervened to resolve the situation, and the train eventually departed after the guard was given an assurance that a replacement stool would be provided at Deoria. He was later provided with a small table to complete his duty for the remainder of the journey.
Official Response and Investigation
Following the incident, the East Central Railway (ECR) took swift administrative action on August 19, 2026, by issuing a formal notice to Das. NER Chief Public Relations Officer Sumit Kumar confirmed that the administration has taken a serious view of the disruption and has requested the ECR to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Railway authorities have clarified their stance regarding the infrastructure of the guard’s compartment. Officials maintain that the brake van is already equipped with an inbuilt chair and that there is no provision in the current policy for a separate or additional seat to be provided. The investigation will determine whether the guard’s actions were justified or if they constitute a breach of duty protocols.