New Delhi: When the Rajdhani Express from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi caught fire on the morning of May 17, 2026, the people of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh might have exclaimed, 'Again!' And they would have had good reason to do so.
A History of Fire Incidents
On April 18, 2011, Ratlam made headlines for another Rajdhani fire. That train, traveling from Mumbai to Delhi, experienced a blaze that started in the pantry car around 2 am and spread to three other compartments. Fortunately, all 1,100 passengers were evacuated safely. The incident occurred between Alot and Thuriya stations in the Ratlam railway division. Alot station, now known as Vikramgarh Alot, serves the town of Alot in Madhya Pradesh and is a minor stop on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line.
Fast forward to the morning of May 17, 2026, when around 5 am, another Rajdhani caught fire. This time, the location was between Vikramgarh Alot and Luni Richha stations, again within the Ratlam railway division. Mercifully, like in 2011, the blaze did not result in any deaths. All 68 passengers managed to escape unharmed.
Comparison of Incidents
Unlike the 2011 fire, the damage this time was limited to a single compartment, which was quickly detached from the rest of the train. The quick response helped prevent further spread of the fire.
The Rajdhani Express, once celebrated as India's premier train service, has experienced other fire incidents over the years. For instance, on May 11, 2019, a fire broke out on a Bhubaneswar-bound Rajdhani near Balasore. On April 22, 2015, six empty coaches of two Rajdhani trains—one from Bhubaneswar and another from Sealdah—caught fire in a railway yard in Delhi.
Ratlam's Unwanted Distinction
Ratlam now holds a rare and unenviable record on the Rajdhani network map: it is the location where these trains have caught fire twice. However, there is a positive takeaway. In both instances, the casualty count was zero. This underscores the importance of safety protocols and efficient evacuation procedures.
You can also check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal
