Shatabdi delayed by an hour, passengers suffer

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21

Hundred of passengers who wanted to board the Kalka-New Delhi evening Shatabdi from the Chandigarh railway station today had to wait for one-and-half hour due to the delay in arrival of the narrow gauge Himalayan Queen from Kalka.

The reason being the cupelling of engine was detached from the coaches at 5:45 pm resulting in engine going a kilometre ahead of the coaches. The passengers had a narrow escape and a major accident was averted.

After the relief engine was sent to the spot, the Himalayan Queen reached the Kalka railway station at 7 pm. It started from Chandigarh station at 7:38 pm, whereas the scheduled time for plying of the Shatabdi from the city railway station is 6.23 pm.

Officials said that a major accident was averted as the train was running at permissible speed of 8 KMPH due to which the coaches did not get derailed or met with an accident. Sources said that the accident had taken place half-a-kilometer away from the spot where the special chartered train was derailed and two foreigners had died due to serious injuries.

Ambala Divisional Railway Manager Dinesh Kumar said an inquiry had been marked for the accidental detachment of the cupelling of the train on the Kalka-Ambala track.

Other trains also delayed

Station Superintendent RK Dutta, Chandigarh railway station, said the arrival of the morning Shatabdi was also delayed by an hour. The train was scheduled at 11.10 am, but reached the city railway station at 12 noon and the Himalayan Queen which was scheduled at 10.30 am reached the station at 12.30 pm. The trains were delayed since a bridge was under construction near Sonipat.