Thunderstorm disrupts train services in ECR

Patna: A thunderstorm accompanied by lightning disrupted train operations across several key routes under the Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR) on Friday morning.According to the Danapur control room, multiple passenger trains were temporarily detained after heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning affected overhead electric (OHE) wires and signalling systems at several locations.The Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Express was halted for about two hours — from 8.15am to 10.19am — at Patna Sahib station due to weather-related technical disruptions. Movements of the Rajgir–New Delhi Shramjeevi Express and a few other passenger trains were also affected at the same station.Train services were similarly hit near Kuchman station on the DDU–Patna main line after lightning damaged OHE infrastructure. The Anand Vihar–Danapur Jan Sadharan Express, along with some local passenger trains, was detained in the section. Temporary disruptions were also reported at Parsa Bazar on the Patna–Gaya and Kiul–Gaya routes.Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Abhinav Siddarth said railway safety and engineering teams were immediately deployed to the affected sites to carry out repairs and restore normal operations. Restoration work was undertaken on a war footing to ensure early resumption of services.Officials maintained that all decisions on train detention and movement were taken strictly in the interest of passenger safety during the two-to-three-hour spell of severe weather. Train services were gradually being restored following emergency repair work.kumodverma@gmail.com