What Caused the Smoke Scare on the Jaipur-Jodhpur Intercity Express?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Panic ensued among passengers when smoke emerged from the engine.
- The loco pilot's quick thinking prevented a potential disaster.
- A replacement engine facilitated the resumption of service shortly after.
- A detailed inquiry is underway to investigate the cause of the incident.
- Railway officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Jaipur, May 3 (NationPress) - A wave of panic swept through passengers aboard the Jaipur-Jodhpur Intercity Express as thick smoke erupted from the train's engine approximately 4 km away from Gotan station in Rajasthan on Saturday. The alarming incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., prompting numerous passengers to evacuate the train.
Railway officials reported that the train had departed from Jaipur on schedule at 6:00 a.m. and was en route after having passed Jogi Magra when the engine experienced a technical malfunction.
The quick actions of the loco pilot, who applied emergency brakes, ensured that no immediate danger arose.
A replacement engine was dispatched from Jodhpur, arriving at Gotan around noon. Subsequently, the affected train was towed back to Jogi Magra station and resumed its journey towards Jodhpur at 12:15 p.m.
This incident resulted in the temporary halting of several other trains along the same route.
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the engine failure's cause, with a specialized investigation team assigned to determine if maintenance issues or other technical factors contributed to the incident.
Sources from the railway indicated that the smoke was a result of a technical fault within the engine. The train was halted in a timely manner, and a technical team was dispatched to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, senior railway officials are actively monitoring the developments following this occurrence.
"Train number 22977 Jaipur-Jodhpur Express left for Jodhpur on Saturday at its designated time of 6 a.m. At around 9:30 a.m., while moving ahead of Jogi Magra, smoke was observed billowing from the engine just two to three kilometers from Gotan station. The loco pilot reacted promptly, applying emergency brakes, which caused a panic among passengers who began to deboard," officials stated.
Further investigations are ongoing.