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Patna, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A potentially major rail accident was narrowly averted at Semapur railway station in Bihar's Katihar district on Friday after the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express passed over a severely broken section of track.
The alertness of the loco pilot, coupled with the train's low speed, is believed to have prevented a possible derailment involving hundreds of passengers.
Train no. 15904, the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express, was entering the yard area of Semapur station on the Katihar-Barauni section under the Sonpur division of East Central Railway at around 9 am when it encountered the damaged rail.
The engine and the coach immediately behind it had crossed the affected portion when the loco pilot heard an unusual and loud clattering sound from beneath the train. Sensing a possible danger, he immediately applied the emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt.
The pilot then alerted the train guard and Semapur station master about the incident.
The train's slow speed proved crucial. The Dibrugarh Express was scheduled to be diverted onto a loop or shunting line at Semapur to facilitate the passage of a Rajdhani Express approaching from behind. It was therefore already moving at a reduced speed while entering the station.
Railway officials indicated that the broken track could have created a serious derailment risk had the train been traveling at its normal speed.
Following the discovery, railway officials, technical personnel and security staff rushed to the spot. CWCI Prem Prakash, USD Amrit Sagar and Manoj Kumar Singh, in-charge of the Bihpur-Semapur RPF Outpost, reached the site along with the technical team.
Engineers initially secured the damaged rail using clamps and fishplates as a temporary measure. The Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express remained halted for nearly two hours while the track was made safe.
After the temporary repairs were completed and the section was declared fit for movement, the train was allowed to proceed at a restricted speed. Once it had safely crossed the affected portion, the engineering team carried out permanent repairs by welding the broken section of the rail.
Confirming the incident, RPF Outpost In-charge Manoj Kumar Singh said the loco pilot promptly stopped the train after noticing the crack or break in the rail. He said the railway administration responded swiftly to restore the track and that train operations on the section subsequently returned to normal.