Commuters were left stranded during the morning rush hour as train services on the Howrah-Bandel route came to an unexpected interrupt. The incident, which occurred at around 6 a.m., resulted in major inconvenience for daily travellers, with both up and down lines experiencing nearly an hour-long suspension of train operations. As a consequence, even the long-distance express trains were affected, causing frustration among office-goers.
According to reports, the disruption began when a signalling point near Tikiapara failed at 6:15 am, leading to the suspension of train movement on platforms 1 through 6 at Howrah station. This halt rippled through the entire Howrah-Bandel branch, affecting all local train services. As a result, commuters crowded platforms while awaiting updates on the situation.
Railway authorities attributed the disruption to a mechanical fault detected upon entering Howrah station. Consequently, trains were held at platforms 1 through 6, impacting scheduled services, including the Black Diamond Express and Ganadevata Express. Despite efforts to rectify the issue promptly, it took nearly an hour for operations to resume normalcy.
This incident affected approximately 22 local train services within the span of an hour. However, it wasn't just local trains; even express services like the Ganadevata Express and Black Diamond Express faced delays and cancellations at Howrah station due to the technical glitch.
In response to inquiries, CR official Kaushik Mitra confirmed the mechanical issue at Howrah station, resulting in the closure of platforms 1 through 6. This unforeseen disruption left commuters frustrated and highlighted the vulnerability of railway infrastructure during peak hours.
The incident underscores the need for robust maintenance and contingency plans to minimise disruptions and ensure the smooth operation of rail services, especially during critical commuting hours.