Patna: In an unusual and rather perplexing incident, passengers aboard the Utsarg Express train experienced a disruption to their journey when the train failed to stop at Manjhi halt, located in Bihar’s Saran district. The surprising turn of events left passengers and railway authorities dealing with a unique situation on that evening.
The incident took place on a seemingly ordinary Wednesday evening, when the train was enroute to its destination. The Chapra-Farrukhabad Utsarg Express embarked on its journey from Chapra Junction railway station at 7 p.m. The schedule indicated that the train was to make a stop at Manjhi halt at 7.26 p.m.
Driver’s Forgotten Halt
However, what transpired next was an unexpected twist to the evening’s travel plans. The train’s driver, for reasons unknown, missed the scheduled halt at Manjhi. This error led to a rather peculiar situation, with the train continuing its journey past the designated stop.
When the driver eventually realized the missed halt, the train was stopped in its tracks on a bridge approximately half a kilometer away from Manjhi halt. This unplanned stop created an unusual and unsettling predicament for the passengers.
Chaos and Confusion
The situation quickly spiraled into chaos, with passengers left bewildered by the sudden and unexpected halt on the bridge. The abruptness of the stoppage meant that neither passengers could disembark nor could new ones board the train. The confusion and disruption caused considerable frustration among passengers, as they grappled with a situation that was both confusing and inconvenient.
As the scene unfolded, railway authorities initiated their response to the unexpected occurrence. The train’s driver and guard promptly contacted the station master of Manjhi halt to inform them of the error. This was a critical step in coordinating efforts to rectify the situation and ensure the safety and convenience of passengers.
Retrograde Movement to Rectify
The solution to the unusual situation required a unique approach. In response to the missed halt, the Utsarg Express train was set into motion in reverse. This maneuver allowed the train to retrace its path until it had returned to Manjhi halt, where the passengers could finally disembark and new passengers could board.
Despite the disruption and the unanticipated delay, the train resumed its journey, albeit approximately 20 minutes later than scheduled. In retrospect, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of precise coordination and vigilance on the part of train drivers and railway authorities to ensure the smooth and safe functioning of train services.
