A rapid emergency response prevented a potential tragedy early Sunday morning after a fire broke out on the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district. Railway officials confirmed that 68 passengers were safely evacuated from the affected coach before the blaze could spread, resulting in no reported injuries or casualties.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:15 am on Train No. 12431, specifically impacting the B-1 coach and an adjoining Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR) coach. The train was traveling between Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations, falling under the jurisdiction of the West Central Railway’s Kota Division. The swift coordination between onboard staff and ground teams ensured the compartment was cleared in roughly 15 minutes.
The emergency was first identified by the train guard, who spotted smoke and flames emerging from the compartment. The guard immediately alerted the loco pilot, leading to an emergency stop and the initiation of evacuation protocols. To ensure the safety of the rescue teams and passengers, the overhead electric (OHE) supply was disconnected immediately, and the B-1 coach was subsequently detached from the rest of the rake to isolate the fire.
Coordinated Evacuation and Site Recovery
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and onboard staff worked in tandem to move passengers from the B-1 coach and nearby carriages as a precautionary measure. The efficiency of the evacuation was highlighted in a statement from the West Central Railway, Kota Division, which noted, “All passengers of the affected coach were safely deboarded. No injury or casualty to any passenger or railway staff. OHE supply was cut immediately. The affected B-1 coach was detached from the rake.”
Relief and rescue teams from the Kota Railway Division were dispatched to the site shortly after the alarm was raised. Senior officials, including DRM Anil Kalra, arrived on the scene alongside local police and fire department teams to manage the restoration of the tracks and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
The disruption caused a ripple effect across one of India’s busiest rail corridors. Movement on the Delhi-Mumbai route remained suspended for nearly two hours as officials conducted rigorous safety checks and managed the rescue operation. To minimize further delays for the stranded passengers, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Kota Division, Saurabh Jain, stated that authorities were arranging additional coaches from Kota to allow the remainder of the train to proceed with its journey.
| Timeline Event | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| 05:15 AM | Fire detected in B-1 and SLR coaches. |
| Immediate Response | Guard alerts loco pilot; train stopped; OHE supply cut. |
| T+15 Minutes | 68 passengers successfully evacuated from B-1 coach. |
| Recovery Phase | B-1 coach detached; additional coaches arranged from Kota. |
| T+2 Hours | Rail traffic on the Delhi-Mumbai route restored. |
Investigation into Recurring Safety Incidents
While the immediate crisis was averted, the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express fire has raised questions regarding equipment safety. The cause of the blaze remains undetermined, and Indian Railways officials have launched a formal investigation. Technical teams are currently examining the affected coach and its electrical components to identify the exact source of the ignition.
This event is particularly concerning as it marks the second significant fire incident involving express trains within a two-week window. On May 15, a similar fire broke out in two air-conditioned coaches of the Hyderabad-Jaipur Special Express at Nampally Railway Station. In that instance, the fire started in the B1 and B2 3-tier AC compartments shortly before the 7 pm departure. Although no casualties were reported in that incident either, the proximity of the two events has placed a spotlight on AC coach maintenance.
Railway authorities are now under pressure to determine if there is a systemic failure or a common technical flaw contributing to these fires. The investigation in Ratlam will likely focus on the wiring and electrical load of the B-1 coach to see if there are parallels to the Hyderabad-Jaipur incident.
The next step in the process will be the submission of the technical inspection report by the Kota Division, which will determine if wider safety audits are required for the Rajdhani fleet. Official updates regarding the cause of the fire are expected following the completion of the forensic examination of the detached coach.
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