Katihar, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : A significant train disaster was narrowly avoided at the Semapur railway station in Katihar, Bihar, on Friday, September 11, when the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express passed over a broken section of track.
The quick actions of the train’s pilot are credited with preventing a potentially severe incident that could have affected hundreds of passengers.
While entering the yard area of Semapur station around 9 AM, train number 15904 encountered a serious crack in the track, known as a rail fracture. The engine and the following coach had already crossed the damaged area when the pilot heard a loud noise from beneath the train.
Recognizing the imminent danger, the pilot promptly applied the emergency brakes, halting the train. He then informed the train guard and the station master about the situation. The train’s slow speed at the time was crucial in averting disaster.
The Dibrugarh Express was scheduled to be diverted onto a loop or shunting line at Semapur to allow the incoming Rajdhani Express to overtake it. As a result, the train was moving at a reduced speed as it approached the station.
Railway officials indicated that had the train been traveling at its normal pace, it could have derailed due to the broken track. Upon discovering the damaged rail, railway authorities and technical staff acted swiftly.
Prem Prakash from CWC, Amrit Sagar from USD, and Manoj Kumar Singh, in charge of the Bihaur-Semapur RPF outpost, arrived at the scene with a technical team and security personnel.
Initially, railway engineers secured the damaged section with clamps and fishplates as a temporary measure. The Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express remained stationary for nearly two hours while repairs were underway.
Once the temporary fixes were completed and the track was deemed safe for travel, the train was allowed to proceed at a limited speed. After safely crossing the affected area, the engineering team conducted permanent repairs by welding the broken rail.
Confirming the incident, Manoj Kumar Singh stated that the pilot’s quick response upon noticing the crack in the rail was vital. He emphasized that railway administration acted promptly to repair the track, allowing normal train operations to resume in that section.
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