UPDATE 2: Replacement coaches to come from Bhubaneshwar. Rajdhani to depart from Cuttack around 14:00 hrs, according to officials.
UPDATE 1: B3 and B4 coaches being detached at Cuttack. Two replacement coaches to be attached to accommodate passengers of B3 and B4.
Reports have come in of rake parting of the Bhubaneshwar – New Delhi Rajdhani Express at about 09:50 hours today. Sources claim all passengers are safe.
The rake uncoupled for unknown reasons between coach B3 and B4. The uncoupling happened on the Kathajodi bridge near Cuttack. Because of the location, significant difficulties were faced in recoupling of the rake, leading to a further delay.
The train was later coupled and has been taken to Cuttack for a thorough investigation into the issue and to ensure the issue was fixed.
An enquiry has been ordered by the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office of Khurda division. The report is to be tabled in 48 hours, after which action will be taken against those found guilty, the DRM’s office has said.
Several such instances of rake parting have occurred over the years. Most of them involve trains with the new generation LHB rakes, pointing to an issue with the couplers on these rakes. It isn’t yet known if the cause of the repeated uncouplings has been identified.
Photo courtesy: Siddharth Singh Rajput
It’s a serious matter and the investigation has to carried out by and the findings of the investigation should also be disclosed to regain the trust of the passengers.