RailEnquiry

ALLAHABAD: A major tragedy was averted in Mahanagri Express near Chunar when smoke was noticed coming out from the switch board of a sleeper coach. However, timely action resulted in prevention of the spread of the smoke and fire. The coach was finally attended at Allahabad railway junction.According to reports, when the Mahanagri Express was near Chunar, passengers travelling in S-12 coach saw coming out from the switchboard near seat number 65-70.The train attendant immediately disconnected the wires of the switchboard and a fire extinguisher was brought from the AC-coach to douse the flames.Narrating the incident, Babu Khan, who was travelling in S-12 coach, said: "I noticed flames coming from the switchboard of the train. I hurriedly alerted the other passengers and rushed to the entrance gate located near the toilet. Some of the passengers pulled the alarm chain and the train was stopped. Though the train stopped momentarily and again moved on. However, the news of fire was communicated to the driver and the train was finally stopped."The train was then finally brought to Allahabad railway junction on platform number 8 where staff of the railway rectified the problem. RPF and GRP personnel were also present at the station.Another passenger Gulab Jaiswal who was traveling on seat number 65 and boarded the train from Varanasi told "I saw fire leaping from the switchboard of the fan. We hurriedly pulled the alarm chain so that train can be stopped. The fire was controlled timely otherwise a major tragedy might have occurred."

Gulab Jaiswal, one of the passenger traveling in the train said, "It is the responsibility of the railway department to ensure safety of the passengers. It was only God's grace that we were saved from a major tragedy.

Talking to TOI, chief public relations officer of North Central Railway Sandeep Mathur said the affected coach was attended at the Allahabad railway junction and the problem was rectified. As the primary and secondary maintenance of the coach of Mahanagri Express rests with the Central and Northern Railway, information has been provided to both the zones.