Ludhiana, October 18:
A major tragedy was averted on Saturday morning when a fire broke out on the Amritsar–Saharsa Garib Rath Express (Train No. 12204) near Sahnewal Railway Station in Punjab. The train was on its way from Ludhiana to Delhi when flames were noticed in one of its AC coaches.
According to railway officials, the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when passengers saw smoke coming out of a coach shortly after the train left Sahnewal. Panic spread among the travellers, but the train was quickly halted, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and railway staff along with local police helped douse the flames. Officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported, though one woman sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“The fire was brought under control swiftly. All passengers are safe, and alternative arrangements have been made for their onward journey,” said a senior Northern Railway official.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest it could have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, but railway authorities have not ruled out other possibilities. The damaged coach has been detached, and technical teams are inspecting the site.
Train operations on the route were temporarily affected but later restored once the track was cleared. Passengers appreciated the prompt response of the train crew and local authorities, which helped prevent a major disaster.
The Garib Rath Express is known for providing affordable air-conditioned travel to passengers across India. This incident has once again raised concerns about train safety, coach maintenance, and emergency preparedness on long-distance routes.
Railway officials said a detailed inquiry has been ordered, and safety measures will be reviewed to avoid such incidents in the future.
