A high-speed Vande Bharat Express train service was forced to make an unscheduled stop for close to an hour on Friday afternoon following an unexpected avian encounter. The incident disrupted the journey of hundreds of passengers traveling between two major Karnataka cities.
Incident Details: The Moment of Impact
The train, bearing number 26752 and operating on the Bengaluru to Belagavi route, was cruising approximately 48 kilometers from Bengaluru when the mishap occurred. At around 3 PM on Friday, a bird collided with a critical component of the train known as the pantograph.
This rooftop apparatus is responsible for drawing electricity from the overhead cables to power the train. The impact was severe, resulting in the immediate death of the bird and, more critically, causing a disruption to the train's power supply. Railway officials confirmed the bird was killed on the spot due to the force of the collision.
Response and Restoration
Following the bird strike, the train's crew brought it to a halt at Doddabele station. For nearly sixty minutes, passengers waited as railway personnel worked to resolve the issue. A spokesperson from the South Western Railway provided details on the corrective action taken.
"The train was stopped at Doddabele station following the incident," the official stated. "After the bird was removed from the pantograph and power supply restored, the train resumed its journey towards Belagavi." The restoration process involved clearing the debris from the sensitive equipment and ensuring the electrical connection was secure and safe before proceeding.
Broader Implications for Rail Travel
While bird strikes are not uncommon in rail and air travel, this event highlights the vulnerabilities that even modern, high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express can face. Such incidents, though often beyond human control, can lead to significant delays and inconvenience for passengers.
The swift response by the railway staff ensured the delay was contained to about an hour, allowing the important inter-city service to continue its journey. The event serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between infrastructure, technology, and the natural environment.
