A major railway disaster was averted by a whisker in Rajpura, Punjab, when four coaches of the Karmabhumi Express suddenly caught massive fire near Sarai Banjara. The unexpected outbreak of fire inside the moving train triggered widespread panic, chaos, and confusion among the passengers. The intensity of the fire was so high that thick black smoke billowing from the coaches could be seen clearly from several kilometers away. Passengers traveling on board were deeply shocked and gripped by fear as flames engulfed the compartments. Rescue and relief teams swiftly mobilized to the spot to bring the situation under control.
Train Schedule and Incident Timing
According to available details, the incident took place at around 1 बजकर 10 मिनट pm (1:10 PM) today afternoon. The train involved was train number 12508, the Karmabhumi Express, heading towards Amritsar. The incident occurred near the Basantpura railway station, approximately 15 kilometers away from Rajpura. Initial reports indicated that the fire originated from the 5th coach counting from the engine side. Following the alert, the train was halted near the Sarai Banjara railway station between the middle of Sirhind and Rajpura. Currently, the train has been stationed at the Basantpura railway station.
Loco Pilot and Passenger Vigilance
The biggest turning point that prevented a catastrophic tragedy was the exemplary alertness and presence of mind shown by the loco pilot. As soon as minor flames were detected, the loco pilot promptly brought the train to a halt. Immediately afterward, passengers inside the train were safely evacuated, and the critical situation was managed efficiently. Providing further relief, the passengers also displayed remarkable maturity by understanding the gravity of the situation and stepping down from the train before the fire could spread further. These timely precautionary measures ensured that a massive disaster was averted successfully.
Train Route and Destination
This particular train was journeying from Amritsar and heading towards New Jalpaiguri. During the course of its run, 4 compartments of the train fell prey to the raging fire. The sudden outburst of flames and thick smoke emerging from the bogies caused instant panic, prompting passengers to scramble downwards to save their lives. The aftermath of the accident left a massive cloud of smoke looming across the entire region, causing widespread alarm among onlookers.
Official Investigation and Relief
Soon after the unfortunate incident, local rescue teams reached the site and initiated intense operations to douse the flames completely, while several local residents were also present at the location to extend help. While initial information hinted that some passengers sustained injuries, it remains a major relief that no severe casualties were reported. The exact root cause behind the sudden fire is yet to be ascertained. Administrative authorities are currently conducting a detailed probe into the incident, and comprehensive reports regarding the extent of damage are awaited.