Ludhiana Railway Scare: Katra Express Coach Snaps Mid-Section, Railways Probe Structural Failure

A major safety scare unfolded at Ludhiana Railway Station in Punjab on Saturday when a coach of the New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Special (Delhi–Katra Express) suddenly broke apart as the train was departing from Platform No. 2.  

According to eyewitnesses, the train had halted at Ludhiana and was preparing to resume its journey towards Katra at around 9:00 a.m. As the locomotive began pulling the carriages, a loud cracking noise echoed across the station, sparking panic among passengers and bystanders. Many initially feared an explosion had occurred.  

However, railway and police officials quickly clarified that there was no blast. Preliminary investigations suggest a coupling or welding failure in the aging S‑2 coach, particularly near the washroom section. The chassis reportedly gave way, causing the carriage to split into two parts.  

Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Sameer Verma explained: “The Delhi–Katra Express train was heading towards Katra. It had a halt at Ludhiana railway station. When it started to depart again at around 9 o’clock, the engine successfully pulled away, but the carriage S‑2 separated from the rest of the train due to a break in the coupling between the washroom area and the rest of the carriage.”  

Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported. Passengers inside the coach remained safe despite the alarming incident. The fracture occurred near the bathroom section, which prevented a more serious accident.  

Railway authorities, along with police personnel, immediately inspected the damaged coach. A detailed probe has been launched to determine how the coach became structurally weak and why it failed under normal operational stress. Officials have urged the public not to spread rumors until the final investigation report is released.  

The incident has raised fresh concerns about railway safety and maintenance standards, particularly regarding older coaches still in service. For now, authorities are assuring passengers that law and order remain under control and that corrective measures will be taken to prevent such failures in the future.