Fire Engulfs Delhi-Bound Rajdhani Express; 68 Passengers Evacuated Safely in 15 Minutes

A major fire broke out in the Delhi-bound Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express early Sunday morning, triggering panic among passengers and disrupting rail traffic on the busy Mumbai-Delhi route. The blaze erupted in the B-1 air-conditioned coach of train No. 12431 near Vikramgarh Alot station under the Kota railway division. Railway officials confirmed that all passengers were evacuated safely and no casualties were reported in the incident.

According to railway authorities, the fire was reported at around 5:15 am while the train was traveling between stations near Ratlam. At the time of the incident, the affected coach was carrying 68 passengers. Railway Protection Force personnel, onboard railway staff, and emergency teams immediately launched evacuation operations and managed to move all passengers out of the coach within nearly 15 minutes. Adjacent coaches were also cleared as a precautionary measure to prevent further risk.

Visuals from the site showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the coach as emergency personnel attempted to contain the fire. Officials said the swift response by railway staff helped avert a major disaster. The affected passengers were later shifted to other coaches, and alternative arrangements were made to continue their journey safely. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, though preliminary reports suggested that a technical fault or short circuit may have triggered the incident.

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The incident also led to disruption of train movement on the Mumbai-Delhi rail corridor, one of the country’s busiest railway routes. Railway operations were temporarily affected as officials inspected tracks and carried out emergency response procedures near the affected section. Several trains were delayed or diverted while railway authorities worked to restore normal services. Passengers traveling on other routes connected to the corridor were advised to check updated train schedules and operational announcements.

Railway authorities stated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the origin of the blaze and assess the extent of the damage caused to the coach. Technical teams and railway safety officials are expected to examine the electrical systems and other components of the train as part of the inquiry. Officials said the incident highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid evacuation protocols in long-distance train operations.

The Rajdhani Express network is among Indian Railways’ premium long-distance services connecting major cities with the national capital. Incidents involving onboard fires remain relatively rare but are treated with high priority because of the large number of passengers traveling on such routes daily. Railway officials reiterated that passenger safety remained their top priority and assured travelers that all necessary measures were being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future while ensuring uninterrupted restoration of rail services.

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