Sambalpur: The Puri-Hatia Tapaswini Express was stranded at Angul and Bamur railway stations for over six hours due to a technical snag in the engine. The train finally resumed its onward journey on Saturday morning.
According to reports, the train (no. 18452) was on way to Angul when the loco driver noticed smoke billowing out of the rear engine. At this, he reduced the train’s speed and managed to arrive at Angul railway station. The engine was repaired and the train then left for Sambalpur after a two-hour delay.
However, the engine again had a technical snag at Bamur railway station. The train finally left for Sambalpur with a new loco engine after four hours.
BJP leader Jual Oram, who was travelling in the train with RSS functionary Prasanna Mishra, twitted to the Railway minister Piyush Goyal about the matter.
I am slog with Shri P K Mishra Khetarpal Sampark Pramukh of RSS held up at Bamur Station for more than 3 hours due to Engine failure of 18452-Tapswani Express.Very sad.@PiyushGoyalOffc
— Jual Oram (@jualoram) January 4, 2020
Meanwhile, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) statement said that the delay was due to the repair of the engine.
Chief public relations officer (CPRO) Jyoti Prakash Mishra said that for the safety of the passengers, the engine was thoroughly checked at Angul, Sargipalli and Bamur railway stations.
He said the ECoR will send back the engine to the Bhilai shed from where it was brought. “The engine could not move due to the axle lock. “We have taken up the matter very seriously and will take necessary action if any man-made error is found during the investigation,” he added.
