A potentially alarming situation was swiftly managed at Berhampur railway station in Odisha on Monday when heavy smoke was seen coming from a coach of the Guwahati-Bengaluru Express. Official sources confirmed that the incident resulted in no injuries to passengers and no damage to railway property.
Timely Alert and Immediate Response
The incident involved the B2 coach of train number 12510. As the train was entering Berhampur station, the gateman on duty raised an alert after observing smoke emission and a condition known as 'brake binding' in both bogies of the sixth coach from the engine. The train had arrived at the platform at 12:20 pm, and railway staff were formally informed about the issue by 12:25 pm.
Efficient On-Spot Resolution by Railway Staff
Acting with promptness, the railway personnel on site attended to the problem immediately. According to an official statement from the railways, the staff manually released the brakes and isolated the brake power supply for the affected bogies. This decisive action was taken specifically to avoid any further detention of the train on its route.
After thoroughly ensuring that the brakes were releasing normally and the situation was under control, the train was permitted to continue its journey. The entire operation was handled efficiently, and the Guwahati-Bengaluru Express departed from Berhampur station at 12:42 pm, after a delay of approximately 22 minutes.
Outcome and Railway Safety Protocols
The quick thinking and professional response by the gateman and the maintenance staff averted what could have escalated into a more serious safety concern. The sequence of events highlights the effectiveness of the railway's on-ground safety protocols:
- Immediate reporting of the anomaly by the gateman.
- Rapid mobilization of technical staff.
- On-spot troubleshooting and isolation of the faulty system.
- Minimization of travel disruption for passengers.
The incident underscores the critical role of vigilant railway employees in maintaining passenger safety. The successful handling of the smoke emission in the Guwahati-Bengaluru Express at Berhampur station demonstrates a well-executed standard operating procedure that prioritized safety while minimizing inconvenience.
