Jharkhand: Gonda-Asansol Express Hits Truck at Nawadih Crossing on Patna-Howrah Main Line, Rail Traffic Disrupted for 3 Hours

Deoghar: A major rail accident was narrowly averted on the Patna-Howrah main railway line on Thursday morning when the Gonda-Asansol Express collided with a truck at a level crossing. The incident occurred on the Asansol rail division of Eastern Railway, bringing train operations to a halt for nearly three hours.

The collision took place at 9:38 am at railway crossing number 27, located between Kumardabad Rohini and Shankarpur railway stations on the Jasidih-Madhupur rail section. The 13510 Down Gonda-Asansol Express struck a truck that was stuck at the Nawadih crossing.

DRIVER’S ALERTNESS PREVENTS MAJOR TRAGEDY

According to eyewitnesses, the train approaching from Gonda hit the truck with significant force, causing chaos at the scene. However, the driver’s quick thinking helped avert a major disaster. Due to traffic congestion, the Nawadih crossing gates could not be closed in time, allowing the truck onto the tracks. Meanwhile, the Gonda-Asansol Express, which had departed from Jasidih station heading towards Madhupur, reached the crossing while blowing its whistle. Upon spotting the truck ahead, the driver applied emergency brakes, but the collision could not be avoided. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.

TRAIN OPERATIONS HALTED, SERVICES RESUME AFTER THREE HOURS

The impact left the truck stranded at the accident site, with the train’s engine also suspected to have sustained damage. The stoppage on the down line caused several other trains to be held up at various locations. Railway officials and technical teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the accident.

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Asansol Divisional Railway Manager Sudhir Kumar Sharma reached the site and instructed immediate restoration of train services. The up line was cleared for train operations at 11 am. The down line was cleared around 12:30 pm, approximately three hours after the incident. Following this, the stranded Gonda-Asansol Express was dispatched forward. Both railway administration and passengers breathed a sigh of relief once train operations resumed normally.