BBMB-operated Nangal-Bhakra train derails near Nehla village; no casualties reported

One bogey of the train operated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which plies between Nangal and Bhakra Dam, derailed yesterday evening near Nehla village. At the time, many BBMB employees were on board. However, no injuries were reported as the train was moving very slowly when the incident occurred.

Parminder Singh, executive engineer (mechanical), who was responsible for maintaining the train, said that the track and train have become old and that some mechanical fault may be responsible for the bogie getting derailed. “We shall restore the train in the next few days,” he added.

The train — which runs between Nangal (Punjab) and Bhakra (Himachal Pradesh) — is one of North India’s most unique heritage rail services. Sources said that the train derailed due to poor track condition. It was the same spot where the railway track had been damaged by a landslide in September.

The short 13-km route, which connects Nangal to Bhakra Dam, holds a special place in India’s engineering history. The train was originally commissioned in 1948 to transport men and machinery for the construction of the Bhakra Dam — one of India’s largest post-Independence infrastructure projects.

Initially hauled by steam locomotives, the line was later upgraded in the early 1950s with diesel engines imported from the United States, each producing about 400 horsepower. These vintage General Electric locomotives still operate on the line today, pulling wooden-bodied coaches that once carried thousands of workers and now serve BBMB staff, local residents, and schoolchildren from villages enroute.

Unlike regular passenger trains, the BBMB service is fare-free, maintained entirely by the board. It covers the 13-km journey at a leisurely pace of around 30-40 km/hour, making it both a functional commute and a moving heritage experience.

Despite its age, the train has remained remarkably reliable. In February 2024, a minor derailment near Nangal briefly halted operations, though no injuries were reported. About 15 days’ suspension was caused when heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides on September 17 again disrupted the century-old service.

BBMB officials said that the train continues to be maintained by the board’s in-house workshop. Spare parts for the 1950 era locomotives are increasingly scarce, but technicians have kept them running through custom fabrication and careful maintenance.

Residents of Bhakra and nearby villages expressed hope that the heritage train would soon be back on track. “It’s more than just transport; it’s a symbol of Bhakra’s history and pride,” said a retired BBMB employee, Vijay Sharma, in Nangal.