The newly introduced Vande Bharat express between Puri and Howrah encountered a hurdle near Baitarani Road station in Jajpur on Sunday after it was forced to stop following power disruptions caused due to norwester rain.
As per reports, the semi-high speed train from Puri to Howrah has been detained between Baitarani Road and Manjuri Road stations since 4.30 pm.
An East-Coast Railway report said, "The train was forced to stop due to damaged overhead wire caused by storm near Bhadrak. Train will be detained for some more time as a big tree has fallen on track. The train is expected to be ready to run again by 7.30 PM."
Speaking to OTV, Biswajeet Sahu, the Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of East Coast Railway, said, "The overhead power line was damaged after a tree was uprooted due to thunderstorm. When the train crossed that section, it was also damaged partially. Our engineers have already reached the spot and they are trying either to repair the damaged section or push the train ahead so that it can resume its journey ahead."
"Our team is at the spot and they are tending to the passengers stranded with the train. The repair works will be completed soon and we are expecting to resume the train service within another hour," said, Sahu.
Later, the train resumed its journey to Howrah at around 8:30 pm with the help of a diesel engine.
To adjust the timing of the Vande Bharat express, the train was cancelled for May 22.
Announcing the same, an East Coast Railway press release said, "Howrah-Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22895/22896) is cancelled on May 22 (Monday) due to late running of the connecting Vande Bharat train. This is done to adjust the timing.".