Jharkhand: Rajdhani Express Crosses Damaged Bridge, MEMU Train Stopped Just in Time; Passengers Evacuated on Foot

Lohardaga: A major train accident was narrowly averted in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand. Despite the damage to the railway bridge over the Koel River, the Rajdhani Express and Sasaram Express had already crossed safely. Railway personnel realized the danger only after these trains had passed. The MEMU train coming from Ranchi to Lohardaga was then stopped before reaching the bridge, saving hundreds of passengers from a potentially fatal accident.

According to reports, the Rajdhani Express and Sasaram Express had safely crossed the railway bridge over the Koel River. After these trains passed, when railway staff inspected the bridge, they found that two of its pillars were damaged. Pillar number five was already undergoing repairs, but new cracks appeared in it. Cracks were also observed in pillar number four. Seeing this situation, the railway personnel were alarmed. If another train had crossed the bridge in this condition, a major accident could have occurred.

Meanwhile, MEMU train number 68027, traveling from Ranchi to Chandwa-Tori, was about to reach Lohardaga station. Before the train reached the Koel River bridge, located a short distance from the station, railway personnel received full information about the danger. Acting promptly, railway employees immediately signaled and stopped the MEMU train before it reached the bridge. If this train had reached the bridge, the lives of hundreds of passengers could have been in danger. The vigilance of the railway staff averted a major accident.

Panic Among Passengers After Train Stops
The sudden stop of the train caused a brief period of panic among the passengers. However, the railway employees acted with restraint and understanding, informing the passengers about the situation and calming them down. The passengers were told that the bridge was damaged and that the train could not proceed further for safety reasons. Prioritizing safety, the railway administration decided to safely evacuate the passengers from the train. Under the supervision of railway personnel, all passengers were disembarked from the train one by one. They were then escorted on foot across the bridge along the railway tracks and safely taken to Lohardaga station. Although the passengers faced considerable inconvenience during this process, everyone breathed a sigh of relief that a major accident had been averted.

Senior Officials Arrive, Operations on Bridge Suspended
Upon receiving information about the incident, senior railway officials arrived at the scene and inspected the condition of the bridge. A technical team was immediately summoned, which conducted a preliminary assessment of the damaged pillars of the bridge. As a precautionary measure, the railway administration has immediately suspended all rail operations on the Koel River bridge. No train will be allowed to pass through this route until the bridge is repaired and safety checks are completed. Several trains, including the Rajdhani Express, have been suspended on this route until January 7th. The Rajdhani Express will be diverted via an alternative route through Barkakana. The MEMU train operating on the Lohardaga-Ranchi-Tori route is currently running only up to Nagjua. This is causing additional inconvenience to passengers.

The disruption of rail traffic is causing hardship to thousands of passengers in Lohardaga, Ranchi, and surrounding areas. This railway line is crucial for daily commuters, students, and working professionals. The sudden cancellation and diversion of trains have disrupted people’s daily routines.

The Bridge is Two Decades Old, Sand Smuggling Under Scrutiny
The bridge whose two pillars have been damaged is considered the largest railway bridge between Ranchi and Lohardaga. It was constructed approximately two decades ago when the Ranchi-Lohardaga railway line was broadened. Prima facie, the cracks in the bridge are believed to be due to large-scale sand extraction from the surrounding area. There have been long-standing complaints of large-scale illegal sand smuggling from the Koel River.