Madhya Pradesh: Fire breaks out in Rajdhani Express near Ratlam; no casualties reported
Ratlam, May 17
A fire broke out in the B-1 AC coach and rear SLR coach of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning, railway officials said. No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Jain said the incident was reported at around 5:15 am on Train No. 12431 under the Kota division.
"This morning at 5.15 AM, a fire incident was reported in Train No. 12431, the Rajdhani Express travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Nizamuddin, specifically in the rear SLR and B1 coach of the Kota division. Upon noticing the fire, railway staff promptly evacuated all passengers, separated the affected coach from the rest of the train, and informed the fire brigade, state administration, and railway authorities. Immediate action ensured the safety of all passengers," Jain said.
Officials said the fire was brought largely under control shortly after emergency teams reached the spot.
"The fire has been almost completely controlled. Three fire brigade units, ambulances, and civil administration are on-site, working collaboratively. Railway officials have arrived, and additional coaches are being arranged from Kota. The remaining portion of the train is expected to depart within 30 to 45 minutes, after which track restoration will begin. This incident has caused some regulation of trains in both directions, affecting approximately 5 to 6 trains. Passengers are advised to contact the railway website or helpline at 139 for any information," he added.
Railway authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Further details are awaited.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Hats off to the railway staff for quick action! Separating the burning coach and evacuating everyone at 5 AM is no joke. But we need to ask - why are these AC coaches catching fire so frequently? Electrical short circuits or sabotage? Railways must investigate thoroughly and share findings transparently.
Narrow escape for passengers! 😅 This could have been disastrous if it happened while everyone was sleeping. Good that they arranged alternative coaches quickly. But why does this keep happening? Is there no regular maintenance check for electrical wiring in these premium trains?
Thankfully no loss of life 🙏 But I'm concerned about the 5-6 trains that got delayed. Many passengers would have missed connections or important meetings. Railways should have a better contingency plan - maybe dedicated rescue trains ready at major junctions? Also, helpline 139 must be promoted more.
As someone who travels frequently by Rajdhani, this is scary. The AC coaches are supposed to be the safest. Railway needs to install automatic fire suppression systems in every coach, not just handheld extinguishers. Also, regular fire drills for on-board staff should be mandatory. Safety first, always!
It's good emergency services responded quickly. But this raises questions about overall safety protocols. In developed countries, trains have thermal sensors and smoke detectors linked to central control. Hope Indian Railways invests in such technology soon. Lives are precious.
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