Battery blowout: Chennai-bound train survives near-miss after hitting jutting pole

A dramatic incident unfolded on Saturday when the New Jalpaiguri-Chennai Express train had a close call in Odisha’s Balasore district. The train collided with an electric pole during track-laying work, leading to the engine’s battery box falling off, involving keywords like New Jalpaiguri-Chennai Express, train accident, Odisha Balasore district, electric pole collision.

Narrow Escape

The Chennai-bound express train from New Jalpaiguri narrowly escaped derailment when it hit a small electric pole jutting into the tracks at Belsabira near Sabira railway station. The impact caused the battery box underneath the engine to fall off. Thanks to the swift action of the loco pilot who applied emergency brakes, all passengers were safely evacuated without any casualties reported.

Incident Details

The incident occurred during ongoing track-laying work in Odisha's Balasore district. Officials have confirmed that there was no derailment but significant delays due to repair efforts. The quick thinking of railway staff ensured that further damage was prevented and passengers remained safe throughout.

Ongoing Repairs and Investigation

Repair work is currently underway for the damaged battery box, and officials are investigating potential issues with locomotive maintenance. This incident highlights both challenges faced by Indian Railways during infrastructure upgrades and successes in preventing major accidents through prompt action by trained personnel.