The Ranchi railway division has been compelled to cancel and alter the schedules of several crucial trains following the discovery of a dangerous crack on a vital bridge. The structural flaw was detected on the pillars of a bridge spanning the Koel River, located between Nagjua and Lohardaga stations on the busy Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori route. This development has caused significant disruption to passenger services, with cancellations stretching across multiple days.
Detailed List of Cancellations and Alterations
In an official statement released on Sunday, the railway division outlined a series of cancellations and route changes to ensure passenger safety. The long-distance Ranchi-Sasaram Express (train number 18635) will remain cancelled from its origin at Ranchi from January 5 to January 7. Correspondingly, the return service, the Sasaram–Ranchi Express (train number 18636), will be cancelled from Sasaram from January 6 to January 8.
The impact is more severe for local commuter services. Multiple Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) passenger trains will be partially terminated and will originate from Nagjua station instead of their usual starting points.
Changes for Lohardaga and Tori Route Passengers
The following schedule changes are in effect:
- Trains 68017/68018 (Ranchi-Lohardaga-Ranchi MEMU): Services will originate/terminate at Nagjua instead of Lohardaga from January 5 to January 7. Operation between Nagjua and Lohardaga stands cancelled.
- Trains 68027/68028 (Ranchi-Tori-Ranchi MEMU): Services will originate/terminate at Nagjua instead of Tori from January 5 to January 7. Operation between Nagjua and Tori is cancelled.
- Trains 68039, 68040, 68037, 68038 (Ranchi-Lohardaga-Ranchi MEMU): These services will also originate/terminate at Nagjua instead of Lohardaga for a longer period, from January 4 to January 7.
Passengers traveling to and from Lohardaga and Tori on these dates must plan their journeys accordingly, as no rail service will operate on the affected bridge section.
A Narrow Escape Precedes Safety Shutdown
The urgency of the situation was highlighted by a series of close calls on Sunday itself. Before the crack was deemed critical enough to halt operations, several major trains, including the prestigious Rajdhani Express, the Sasaram Express, and a Lohardaga-Ranchi MEMU passenger train, successfully traversed the compromised bridge over the Koel River. Railway authorities have confirmed that no accident occurred during these crossings, but the potential risk prompted immediate action.
Following these incidents, officials moved swiftly to suspend all train movement over the structure to prevent any catastrophe. The cancellations and partial terminations are a direct result of this precautionary measure, prioritizing passenger safety over convenience. The railway division is expected to conduct a thorough inspection and repair of the bridge pillars, with normal services likely to resume only after the structure is certified as completely safe.
