Freight Train Derails in Dahod; Delhi-Bound Trains Hit by Delays
A freight train derailment near Dhedela in Dahod, Gujarat, has disrupted rail traffic, causing delays for two Delhi-bound trains.
Rail traffic in Gujarat faced a significant disruption on Monday night after a freight train derails in Dahod, causing a ripple effect that delayed passenger services heading toward the national capital.
The Incident at Dhedela
The derailment occurred near Dhedela as an empty freight train was navigating the route from Dahod toward Jakot. According to reports, two wheels of the train jumped the tracks, bringing the vehicle to a halt and blocking the down line. At the time of the accident, the train was en route to Madhya Pradesh.
While the incident caused operational chaos, there was a silver lining: no injuries were reported. Railway teams were deployed to the site immediately after the derailment to begin restoration work and clear the tracks to resume normal traffic flow.
Impact on Passenger Services
The derailment of the empty goods train had an immediate impact on scheduled passenger movement. Two trains bound for Delhi were reported as delayed due to the blockage on the line. Railway authorities worked urgently to minimize the disruption, though the incident caused significant inconvenience to commuters on the route.
Similar Scare in Tamil Nadu
This incident follows another alarming railway mishap in Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district. At Jolarpettai Junction, seven empty railway coaches reportedly rolled away unattended from a maintenance yard. These coaches travelled nearly six kilometres without an engine before eventually derailing near Thamaleri Muthur.
A Narrow Escape
The situation in Tamil Nadu could have turned catastrophic if not for the alertness of a duty gatekeeper. Upon hearing the unusual noise of the uncontrolled coaches, the gatekeeper immediately alerted the authorities. This prompt action allowed railway officials to stop approaching trains from Bengaluru at various locations, successfully averting a potential collision.
Preliminary investigations suggest the seven coaches, which were stationed for repairs, had been pushed by an engine but were not properly secured by the staff, leading them to roll away on their own. The resulting derailment disrupted the critical Bengaluru-Chennai route, leading to delays for several passenger trains before clearance operations could be completed.