Train Splits into Two in Uttar Pradesh, Passengers Panic as Coupling Breaks
Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh – Passengers aboard the Odisha-bound Nandan Kanan Express experienced moments of panic when the train unexpectedly split into two near the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction on Monday. The incident occurred due to the failure of the coupling—a chain and hook mechanism that connects train coaches—between the S4 and S5 compartments.
Panic and Quick Response
The train, already running more than three hours late, was en route from Delhi to Puri when the coupling failure abruptly separated the coaches. Fortunately, due to the slow speed of the train at the time, no injuries were reported. Passengers were briefly alarmed, fearing a major accident.
“We thought something serious had happened. Thankfully, the train wasn’t moving fast, so no one got hurt,” a passenger recounted.
Railway authorities quickly responded to the situation, moving the affected coaches back to DDU Junction. Passengers were then accommodated in another coach, and efforts to fix the technical issue began.
#WATCH | Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh: The coupling of the Nandan Kanan Express broke near the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction, splitting it into two parts. pic.twitter.com/QjqUHN7tfe
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2025
Repairs and Safety Concerns
It took railway officials over four hours to resolve the issue and get the train moving again. This incident raises concerns about the maintenance and safety of train couplings, which are critical for passenger safety.
Such incidents, while rare, have proven dangerous in the past. Last year, a railway employee lost his life at Bihar’s Barauni Junction after being crushed between a train’s engine and a coach during an uncoupling procedure. The accident was attributed to miscommunication between railway staff, as confirmed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
While no casualties were reported in Monday’s incident, passengers are calling for stricter safety checks to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
