Rajdhani Express fire: High-level committee formed to probe incident in Madhya Pradesh
A fire broke out in the Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (Train No. 12431) on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The incident happened around 5:15 am between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha stations in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh. Railway authorities quickly evacuated all 68 passengers from the affected coach without any injuries.
What happened during the Rajdhani Express fire?
The fire started in coach B-1 and also damaged the luggage brake and generator car. Railway staff immediately switched off the overhead electric supply and detached the damaged coaches to stop the fire from spreading. Fire brigades were called to the spot to control the blaze. Affected passengers received refreshments and an additional coach was provided at Kota station for their journey.
Who is investigating the cause of the fire?
The Railway Board and West Central Railway (WCR) have set up a high-level administrative inquiry committee. The Principal Chief Safety Officer of WCR is leading this team. The investigation will involve various technical and security experts to find the exact reason for the fire.
| Involved Department/Agency | Role/Focus |
|---|---|
| West Central Railway (WCR) | Administrative Inquiry |
| ICF Chennai | Coach Technical Analysis |
| RDSO | Standards and Design Review |
| Electrical Department | Short Circuit Investigation |
| Mechanical Department | Hardware Inspection |
| Security Department | Safety Protocol Audit |
| FSL Team | Evidence Collection |
What will the inquiry committee examine?
The committee will look into whether a short circuit caused the fire and check the condition of the wiring system. They will also review the fire safety systems and the emergency response time of the staff. Following this incident, Indian Railways has started a nationwide audit of fire-related systems in all train coaches to prevent such accidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did any passengers get injured in the Rajdhani Express fire?
No, all 68 passengers in the affected B-1 coach were safely evacuated and no injuries or casualties were reported.
Where exactly did the fire incident take place?
The fire occurred between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha stations under the Kota Railway Division in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district.