Smoke engulfs two coaches of Kolkata-Darbhanga train

PATNA: Passengers travelling in the Kolkata-Darbhanga Biweekly Express (15233) had a narrow escape when thick smoke engulfed two coaches of the train between Jasidih and Jhajha stations on Monday night.

The passengers vacated the two coaches after the train was put to halt at Jhajha station. No one, however, was injured.

ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar said the incident took place when the train was on way to Darbhanga from Kolkata. “The train was cautiously brought to a halt at Jhajha station. Smoke engulfed the two coaches due to some disturbance in brakes,” he said, adding the train remained stranded at Jhajha station for about an hour before leaving for its onward journey.

MP threatens agitation: Pataliputra MP Ram Kripal Yadav has opposed the move of the railways to make Mahupur the originating point of Sampoorna Kranti Express (12393/12394) instead of Rajendra Nagar Terminal from where the train originates currently. Yadav said after Rajdhani Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express was the most important Delhi-bound train from Patna. “If the railways makes Madhupur the originating station of Sampoorna Kranti Express, I will sit on a dharna,” Yadav said. Other MPs, including Dr C P Thakur, have supported Yadav’s demand and urged the East Central Railway GM L C Trivedi to talk to the Railway Board in this regard.