A major railway accident was narrowly averted after a high-voltage overhead electric (OHE) wire snapped and fell onto a suburban local train at Dakshineswar Railway Station under the Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway on Wednesday night, disrupting train services across the busy Sealdah–Dankuni corridor.
The incident occurred at around 8:50 pm when the Down Dankuni–Sealdah Local was entering Dakshineswar station. An 11,000-volt overhead wire suddenly snapped and landed on the roof of the train, forcing authorities to suspend train operations on the affected section.
Panic at the Station, No Casualties Reported
Eyewitnesses said bright electrical sparks and thick smoke were seen rising from the train after the wire snapped, triggering panic among passengers. Commuters on the platform and inside the train rushed to safety as railway officials responded to the emergency.
Despite the dramatic incident, no injuries or casualties were reported. Railway officials said the metallic body of the train safely grounded the electrical current, preventing passengers from coming into contact with the live wire.
Incident at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Dakshineswar Railway Station (Down Line) |
| Railway Zone | Eastern Railway |
| Division | Sealdah Division |
| Time | Around 8:50 pm, Wednesday |
| Cause | Snapping of overhead electric (OHE) wire |
| Affected Route | Sealdah–Dankuni suburban section |
| Impact | Train movement suspended; delays on connected suburban routes |
| Injuries | Nil |
Emergency Power Shutdown and Restoration Work
Following the incident, railway authorities immediately disconnected power supply to the affected section to eliminate the risk of electrocution and facilitate repair work.
Engineering teams, along with specialized Tower Wagons, were rushed to the site to restore the damaged overhead equipment. Restoration work continued late into the night, with engineers replacing the damaged catenary wire and inspecting the pantograph of the affected local train before resuming services.
Train Services Hit Across Sealdah Division
The disruption severely affected suburban rail traffic during the evening rush hour.
According to railway officials:
- Train movement on the Sealdah–Dankuni section was suspended on both Up and Down lines immediately after the incident.
- Several suburban services on the Sealdah Main Line and Bongaon Line were delayed because of the disruption.
- Thousands of commuters faced inconvenience as trains were held up at multiple stations across the division.
Inquiry Ordered
Eastern Railway has initiated an inquiry to determine the exact reason behind the snapping of the overhead wire. Technical experts are expected to examine whether the incident was caused by equipment failure, wear and tear, or another mechanical issue.
Railway authorities are also reviewing the condition of the overhead equipment in the section to prevent similar incidents in the future.
