Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Engine Failure Blocks Key Northeast Rail Track for Nearly Two Hours
A train engine stopped working on a busy railway line in Jalpaiguri district on Monday morning.
The problem blocked the main track leading to the Northeast.
Railway staff brought another engine, and trains could move again by 9:20 a.m.
Several other trains were held up and arrived late.
Passengers said they did not all receive the same information about the delay.
One passenger said many people chose to travel by road instead.
The engine of the NJP–Bongaigaon Intercity Express malfunctioned between Belakoba and Raninagar on Monday morning.
The incident blocked the principal rail track to the Northeast from about 7:20 a.m. until 9:20 a.m.
A replacement engine was arranged, allowing train movement to resume.
The disruption delayed the Darjeeling Mail, Padatik Express, Uttarbanga Express and North East Express.
Passengers differed on whether delay announcements were made, while one said many travelers switched to road transport.
- Who
- The NJP–Bongaigaon Intercity Express and passengers on several delayed trains; Northeast Frontier Railway arranged a replacement engine.
- What
- An engine malfunction blocked the principal track to the Northeast and delayed four other named trains.
- When
- Monday morning; the malfunction was reported around 7:20 a.m. and movement resumed by 9:20 a.m.
- Where
- Between Belakoba and Raninagar stations in Jalpaiguri district.
- Why
- The Intercity Express engine malfunctioned.
Passenger account: information was inadequate
Passenger account: a delay announcement was made
Information provided during the delay
Passenger account: information was inadequate
Uttarbanga Express passenger Atiur Rahman said passengers were not properly informed about why the train had stopped.
Passenger account: a delay announcement was made
Passenger Pritam Mukhopadhyay said an announcement about the delay was made, though it did not say when the train would resume.
- Affected train
- NJP–Bongaigaon Intercity Express (15703)
- Reported malfunction
- Around 7:20 a.m.
- Track cleared
- Train movement resumed by 9:20 a.m.
- Other affected trains
- Darjeeling Mail, Padatik Express, Uttarbanga Express and North East Express
- Reported delays
- Uttarbanga Express: about 2.5 hours; Darjeeling Mail: 2 hours 23 minutes; Padatik Express: about 1.5 hours; North East Express: about 2 hours
- Railway spokesperson
- K. K. Sharma, chief public relations officer of Northeast Frontier Railway
- Passenger accounts
- One passenger said travelers were not properly informed about the cause; another said an announcement was made but gave no expected restart time.