Pandemonium erupted when an express train bound for Mumbai collided with a bulldozer near Varanasi on Saturday. The incident unfolded near the Neembur village in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district, disrupting train services along the Varanasi railway route.
As per reports, the Varanasi-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express (Train No. 12168) crashed into a bulldozer attempting to traverse the railway tracks near Varanasi Division's Vyasnagar station.
Following the impact, the train dragged the bulldozer for approximately half a kilometer before the train's locomotive pilot managed to bring it to a stop. The bulldozer's operator sustained injuries, and the train's engine incurred minor damage.
Locals gathered on both sides of the train, which remained stationary for around two hours. Thankfully, no passengers aboard the train suffered any injuries.
Lalji Chaudhary, the ADRM Varanasi, informed India Today TV, "An unauthorized crossing involving a bulldozer led to the collision. Fortunately, no cargo or passengers were harmed. We are currently in the process of clearing the track and assessing the impact on train services."
An investigative committee has been established to probe the incident thoroughly.
In the aftermath, train operations on the affected rail route experienced disruptions for roughly four hours. Railway officials promptly arranged for another bulldozer to remove the damaged one from the tracks.
Officials stated that train operations on the route are gradually returning to normalcy following the repair of the damaged railway track.
Recounting the harrowing experience, a passenger on the train shared, "I was traveling from Varanasi to Mumbai when the train halted abruptly shortly after departing Varanasi Central. There was a sudden jolt, causing my daughter, who was accompanying me, to fall. I was perplexed by the situation. Peering outside, I observed villagers from both sides halting the train."
"Upon disembarking, I realized that a sizable bulldozer, which had crossed the railway line without authorization, was stuck near the train. It appeared to have broken into two pieces," the passenger added.
