Incident at Gorakhpur Junction halts eastern lines; no major injuries reported
Gorakhpur: A malfunction of the locomotive pantograph on the 15009 Izzatnagar Express on Wednesday night led to sparks from the overhead catenary and temporary disruption at Gorakhpur Junction, railway officials said on Thursday.
The train was being moved from the old washing pit towards platform 9 at around 9:15 pm when the pantograph — the apparatus on top of the locomotive that collects power from overhead lines — reportedly fractured and lost contact with the overhead equipment. The severed connection produced visible sparks that alarmed passengers and staff in the vicinity, local media reported.
"The Traction Distribution department reached the spot and carried out technical assessment and remedial work," a railway official said.
The railway administration said the train was halted and railway staff took immediate action to secure the locomotive and overhead equipment. The Traction Distribution team lowered the broken pantograph and later re-established a connection using the locomotive's front pantograph, the official added.
| Event | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Pantograph failure reported | 9:15 pm |
| Lines affected on eastern side of junction | About 1.5 hours |
| Pantograph lowered by traction team | 10:20 pm |
| Train permitted to proceed to platform | 10:37 pm |
Railway sources said services on tracks on the eastern side of the junction were affected for nearly one and a half hours while the teams worked to isolate the broken equipment and make safe arrangements to move the locomotive. Alternative measures were put in place to allow the train to be repositioned and brought onto the platform once the technical work was complete.
Local impact and operational response
- Passenger safety: There were reports of panic among people nearby when sparks became visible; railway staff intervened to control the situation.
- Operational delay: Lines on the eastern side of the station remained affected for about 90 minutes, affecting train movements until the locomotive was made operable.
- Technical action: The Traction Distribution department lowered the damaged pantograph and used the front pantograph to reconnect the engine to the overhead equipment.
Railways maintain that the incident was handled by on-site technical teams and that there were no reports of major injuries or derailment. Video footage of the event circulated on social media, showing sparks and passengers shouting as staff worked to halt the movement; local media accounts provided a running narrative of the response.
Incidents involving pantographs are a recognised operational risk on electrified routes as they directly affect the locomotive's power draw. Railway safety protocols require immediate isolation of the affected section and attendance by traction specialists to prevent escalation. In the present case, timely action by the traction team ensured the locomotive was stabilised and permitted to move after repairs.
The episode underscores the importance of regular maintenance and quick technical response at major junctions such as Gorakhpur, which handles substantial train traffic across eastern Uttar Pradesh. Officials did not provide details on any subsequent inspection of the overhead equipment or whether a formal inquiry has been ordered; further updates are awaited from the divisional railway authorities.
Commuters using Gorakhpur Junction are advised to anticipate occasional delays while traction and signalling work is carried out and to follow announcements issued at the station. Railway authorities routinely request passengers to keep a safe distance from overhead equipment and to follow instructions from station staff during technical interventions.
