Rajdhani Express Fire: Delhi-Mumbai Rail Route Stalled After Massive Blaze Near Ratlam

A major tragedy was narrowly avoided in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning when a massive fire erupted on the Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) to Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express. The incident involving train number 12431 has led to a complete standstill on the critical Delhi-Mumbai rail route, causing significant disruption to passenger and freight traffic. Several high-profile trains, including the Mumbai-Jaipur Superfast Express (12955), have been forced to stop at intermediate stations as emergency operations continue on the tracks.

Details of the Incident and Location

According to official reports from the railway administration, the fire broke out at approximately 05:15 AM on Sunday, 17 May 2026. The incident occurred on the Nagda-Kota rail section, specifically between the Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations at kilometer marker 729/02. The train was cruising toward its destination in Delhi when the fire was first spotted. The blaze reportedly originated near the SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake) section adjacent to the AC coach B-1. Within minutes, the flames intensified, sending thick plumes of smoke into the early morning sky and causing immediate panic among the passengers who were mostly asleep at the time.

The Cause and Rapid Spread of Fire

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Kota Railway Division suggest that a short circuit is the most likely cause of the fire, while the flames spread with alarming speed, eventually engulfing two coaches of the premium train. As smoke filled the interior of the B-1 coach, the train's automated safety hooters were triggered. The sudden noise and the smell of burning plastic and upholstery led to a state of chaos and panic as passengers scrambled to understand the situation and evacuate the moving train.

Heroic Actions by Train Staff

The presence of mind shown by the train manager and the guard played a pivotal role in preventing any loss of life. Upon noticing the rising flames from the B-1 coach, the guard immediately alerted the loco pilot (driver) via wireless communication. The driver acted swiftly, applying emergency brakes to bring the heavy rake to a halt. Once the train stopped, the railway administration initiated an emergency protocol. To prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the train, the affected B-1 coach and the attached SLR/pantry unit were decoupled from the main rake. Simultaneously, the power supply to the Over Head Equipment (OHE) was disconnected to ensure the safety of the firefighting teams.

Passenger Safety and Relief Measures

The railway authorities have officially confirmed that all 68 passengers traveling in the affected B-1 coach were evacuated safely. No injuries or fatalities have been reported in this harrowing incident. After being moved to safety near the tracks, the passengers were provided with immediate medical check-ups by the railway health department team that arrived on the scene. Refreshments and water were also distributed to the stranded travelers. For the remainder of the journey to Kota, these passengers have been adjusted into other coaches of the same train. The railway has announced that a fresh, additional coach will be attached to the train at Kota station to ensure all passengers have their designated berths for the final leg of the journey to Delhi.

Impact on Rail Traffic and Investigation

The fire has caused a significant bottleneck on the Delhi-Mumbai line, one of India's busiest rail corridors. With the tracks blocked and power lines cut for safety, several trains following the Rajdhani have been halted. Senior officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ratlam, Ashwani Kumar, reached the spot to oversee the restoration work. From the Kota division, an Accident Relief Train (ART) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) van were dispatched immediately after the alert was received at 05:20 AM. CPRO of West Central Railway, Harshit Srivastava, stated that the priority is to clear the tracks and investigate the exact technical failure that led to the short circuit. Passengers seeking information about their relatives or train status can contact the railway helpline number 139.