An unoccupied Vande Bharat Express train travelled 463 kilometres with a defective braking system, posing a serious safety threat to other trains operating along the route. The train ran from Hatia in Jharkhand to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in Uttar Pradesh despite repeated warnings from two loco pilots about the malfunction.
Railway officials allegedly failed to take action, prompting the South Eastern Railway zone to order a detailed investigation.
The incident took place on October 24, when an empty Vande Bharat train was being transported from Hatia in Jharkhand towards Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh using a goods locomotive. As part of the arrangement, the train’s braking system was supposed to be connected to that of the goods locomotive. However, the braking system was found to be non-functional.
When the train reached Ranchi, the first loco pilot submitted a written complaint stating that the Vande Bharat coaches’ brakes were not working. However, railway officials, including the section controller, allegedly ignored the warning and permitted the journey to continue.
Later, the second loco pilot, who took charge at Muri station, also reported that the train did not have adequate braking capacity. Despite the second warning, no corrective measures were reportedly taken
.It was only after the train covered 463 kilometres and reached Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district that officials took the issue seriously. An inspection subsequently confirmed that the braking systems in the coaches were not functioning. The train had travelled the entire distance relying solely on the brakes of the goods locomotive.
Railway officials described the incident as a serious safety lapse, warning that operating a train over such a long distance without an adequate braking system could have endangered the lives of railway employees and passengers travelling on other trains. They said a major accident may have been narrowly avoided.
In an order issued on November 7, the South Eastern Railway zone directed a detailed investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings indicate possible lapses involving coach maintenance staff, section and traction controllers, and loco pilots.Trade incident reportedly came to light shortly before another railway mishap involving the derailment of the Kolkata-Sairang Express, which was also attributed to negligence.
