The incident took place at Thakurganj railway station in Kishanganj district. The DEMU train (No. 75719) was travelling from Malda to Siliguri and reached platform number 1 around 2:52 pm. Soon after arrival, the driver informed railway officials that his shift had ended and he could not continue the journey.

According to railway safety rules, a loco pilot can work only about 9–10 hours continuously. The driver said he had already completed his duty and refused to operate the train further without rest.

The decision created confusion among passengers. Traders, labourers, and families travelling to Siliguri and nearby areas waited on the platform for hours.

Later, railway officials arranged another driver from a nearby station. After almost three hours, the train finally resumed its journey while the Loco Pilot Stopped Train incident sparked discussion about railway staffing and duty rules.

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The railway confirmed that 15 Holi special trains will run from Muzaffarpur to major destinations including Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Hubballi, Ernakulam and other key cities. Services will begin in early March and continue till the end of the month.

Some trains will run weekly, while others will operate on selected days. Special services include routes from Raxaul and Saharsa to Mumbai, and additional trains towards Delhi and other metro cities.

Railway officials said they are closely monitoring passenger demand. They may add more special trains if ticket bookings increase in the coming days.

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Speaking after the inspection, Vaishnaw said the Vande Bharat sleeper train is ready for inauguration following the mandatory inspection and certification by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service very soon. Two train rakes are already being shifted to Guwahati and Kolkata for operational readiness.

Highlighting passenger-friendly features, the minister said the train offers ergonomically designed stairs, adjustable light shades, smart tray holders, and improved seating. Moreover, Braille signage appears throughout the coaches, including on seat numbers, to support visually impaired passengers.

Importantly, the Vande Bharat sleeper train includes advanced safety systems. These include CCTV surveillance and the Kavach automatic train protection system. Kavach prevents overspeeding, signal violations, and collisions through automatic braking.

Vaishnaw added that the train reflects Prime Minister Modi’s vision to modernise Indian Railways. He also assured that fares remain affordable to support middle-class and low-income travellers.

Earlier, Indian Railways completed a successful high-speed trial on the Kota–Nagda section. During the test, the train reached 180 kmph and met all safety and performance benchmarks.

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Unlike the existing Vande Bharat chair car trains that cater mainly to short and medium distances, the sleeper variant has been designed specifically for overnight and long-haul journeys. The train will consist of 16 coaches and have a total passenger capacity of 823.

According to railway officials, the rake will include 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches, and one first-class AC coach, offering multiple travel options for passengers. The train has a design speed of up to 180 kmph, although the actual operating speed will depend on track conditions and safety norms.

The Guwahati–Kolkata corridor is considered a key route, providing vital connectivity between the Northeastern states and eastern India. Officials believe the introduction of a semi-high-speed sleeper service on this route will significantly improve travel comfort while also reducing journey time compared to conventional express trains.

The Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to feature modern safety systems, improved suspension, automatic doors, enhanced lighting, and upgraded passenger amenities, in line with Indian Railways’ ongoing modernisation drive. The new service is also seen as a boost to tourism, business travel, and regional connectivity.

Railway authorities said the launch is part of a broader plan to roll out Vande Bharat sleeper services on other high-demand long-distance routes across the country in the coming months.

The post Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to Run Between Guwahati and Kolkata appeared first on India Podcast.

Under the new plan, the timings of 15 express trains and 12 passenger trains will change. Some trains will arrive earlier at their destinations, while others will reach later than before. Vananchal Express will now reach Ranchi around 45 minutes later than its current time. In contrast, Gomtinagar–Godda Express will arrive about five minutes earlier.

Local passenger services have also seen adjustments. Several trains on the Bhagalpur, Hansdiha, and nearby routes will depart at new times. Evening and night schedules have changed for a few local services, which may affect daily commuters.

Railway officials have advised passengers to check updated schedules before starting their journey. Travelers can confirm timings through official railway websites, mobile apps, or station inquiry counters to avoid confusion or missed trains.

The post Train Timetable Changes: 27 Trains Including Humsafar and Vananchal Express from January 1, 2026 appeared first on India Podcast.

Railway officials said the new Amrit Bharat Express trains will run on important routes linking Bihar with Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, and Amritsar. These routes will help daily workers, migrants, and families who travel frequently between Bihar and other states.

According to railway sources, one train will run from Muzaffarpur to Surat, while another will connect Samastipur with Amritsar. Two more services will operate from Patna to Mumbai and from Patna to Delhi. These routes cover some of the busiest travel corridors for passengers from Bihar.

The railways are finalizing schedules and preparing modern train rakes for these services. Officials expect all four trains to start operations by early 2026.

At present, Bihar has limited Amrit Bharat services. The addition of these new trains will reduce travel pressure on existing routes and improve passenger comfort. Indian Railways also plans to introduce more Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains in the future to meet rising demand.

The post Bihar Amrit Bharat Trains: 4 New Express Routes Planned for the New Year appeared first on India Podcast.

Northern Railway took this decision after reviewing the expected surge in passengers. The Shaheedi Jor Mela attracts devotees from across the country every year. This year, officials expect over 50 lakh pilgrims between December 25 and December 27.

Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, said the move will ease travel and reduce congestion. Each of the identified trains will stop at Sirhind station for around two minutes. The halts will remain in place for three days during the religious event.

Railway authorities have also planned additional local passenger services on selected routes. These services aim to handle peak-hour crowds more efficiently. To ensure smooth last-mile connectivity, bus services have been arranged from Sirhind station to Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.

Officials have urged passengers to follow travel advisories and cooperate with railway staff. The temporary halts are expected to improve access, enhance safety, and provide relief to thousands of devotees attending one of Punjab’s most significant religious gatherings.

The post Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Rail Decision: 14 Trains to Halt at Sirhind Station During Shaheedi Jor Mela appeared first on India Podcast.

Forest department officers said eight elephants died on the spot.
One elephant suffered critical injuries and remains under observation.
The impact derailed the locomotive and five coaches, creating panic along the track.
All passengers escaped unharmed, railway officials said.

The loco pilot applied emergency brakes after spotting elephants on the track.
The train still struck the herd due to close distance.
Officials clarified that the site does not fall under a designated elephant corridor.

Forest teams reached the location quickly and began an assessment.
Railway staff launched restoration work on a war footing.
Authorities diverted several trains to alternative routes to ease congestion.

Elephant remains scattered across the track delayed services in upper Assam and nearby regions.
Relief trains and heavy machinery arrived to clear the line.
Officials expect gradual restoration after debris removal.

The incident again raised concerns over wildlife safety near railway tracks.
Experts continue to demand better monitoring systems in forest-adjacent rail sections.

The post Assam Train Elephant Collision Kills Eight, Rajdhani Express Derails appeared first on India Podcast.

According to railway officials, the Kanchanjunga Express brake pipe failure happened when the brake pipe separated between two coaches. This activated the Automatic Control Pressure (ACP) system and forced the train to stop immediately for safety.

The sudden halt created panic among passengers, as several coaches were stranded on the bridge. Train operations on the route were affected for nearly an hour. Railway staff and the Railway Protection Force reached the spot quickly to control the situation.

Katihar Additional Divisional Railway Manager Manoj Kumar Singh said the issue was handled with caution. An internal investigation has been ordered to find the cause of the failure and fix responsibility.

RPF Inspector Ajit Kumar showed exceptional courage by climbing under the bridge structure to reconnect the brake pipe. His timely action helped restore normal operations.

After repairs, the Kanchanjunga Express resumed its journey safely. Railway officials confirmed no injuries or damage and said the alert response prevented a major accident.

The post Kanchanjunga Express Brake Pipe Failure Sparks Panic on Sudhani Bridge appeared first on India Podcast.

Acting on a passenger tip, police searched AC coach A-1 of 15028 Down Maurya Express. The train was on its route from Gorakhpur to Sambalpur. During the check, officers found a black backpack lying under berth number 29.

The bag contained two country-made pistols, empty magazines, two extra magazines, 18 live cartridges, and one misfired round. Maurya Express weapons recovery took a serious turn after officers noticed markings on the arms.

One magazine carried the words “Made in USA.” Another barrel was marked “Only Army Supply,” raising concerns about illegal circulation of military-linked equipment.

Jhajha Railway Station Officer Brind Kumar confirmed the seizure. He said escort staff noticed the bag after all passengers denied ownership. The bag was later confiscated at Jhajha station around 10:15 pm.

Police have registered case number 126/25 against unknown persons. A detailed investigation is underway to trace the source, route, and intended destination of the weapons.

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