A major accident was averted on the Gaya-Koderma rail section on Sunday morning, March 22, 2026. The Patna to Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express reported smoke coming from its third coach shortly after leaving Gaya Junction. The incident occurred near the Bandhua railway crossing around 8:40 AM, causing sudden panic among the passengers on board.
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Technical Reason Behind the Smoke Incident
According to railway officials, the smoke was caused by a technical fault known as brake binding in the third coach. This occurs when the brake system fails to release properly, leading to extreme friction between the wheels and the brake pads. Railway official Neeraj Sinha explained that high temperatures in the summer season often worsen such friction, resulting in smoke or even fire-like situations. The alert was first raised from the Manpur-Rasulpur gate, after which the train pilot immediately stopped the locomotive to investigate the issue.
Quick Response and Impact on Travel
The train crew and railway staff acted quickly to control the situation and ensure passenger safety. They used fire extinguishers to cool down the affected wheels and ensure the smoke was completely suppressed. After the technical team fixed the brake issue, the train was cleared to continue its journey toward Ranchi at approximately 9:05 AM. Key details of the event include:
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Train Name | Jan Shatabdi Express (Patna to Ranchi) |
| Incident Time | Approximately 8:40 AM |
| Location | Near Bandhua Railway Crossing |
| Primary Cause | Brake Binding (Technical Fault) |
| Train Departure | Resumed at 9:05 AM |
| Road Traffic Impact | Crossing closed for 30 minutes |
While some passengers got off the train in fear, no injuries were reported during the entire incident. The quick thinking of the driver and rail staff was appreciated by the passengers. However, the incident caused a temporary disruption for local commuters as the Bandhua railway crossing remained closed for about half an hour, leading to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the gate.
