Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Mein Technical Fault, 4.5 Ghante Tak Track Par Khadi Rahi Train

Varanasi: Passengers aboard the Varanasi–Ranchi Vande Bharat Express faced significant inconvenience after a technical fault in the train's brake system caused an unexpected halt of more than four and a half hours in Bihar's Rohtas district on Friday.

The premium train, numbered 20888, departed from Varanasi Cantt Railway Station approximately 10 minutes behind its scheduled departure time. After reaching Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, the train continued toward its next major stop, Gaya. However, shortly after leaving the junction, a technical malfunction reportedly developed between Kumhau and Sasaram stations, forcing the train to stop on the track.

Railway officials said the fault was detected in the braking system, making it unsafe for the train to continue its journey. As a result, the train remained stranded for several hours while technical teams were dispatched to the location to carry out repairs.

The prolonged delay caused considerable hardship for passengers. Many travelers reported that the train was halted in a relatively isolated area, making access to food and drinking water difficult. Some passengers claimed that supplies began running low as the hours passed and that they received limited information regarding the expected duration of the delay.

Following repeated repair efforts by railway engineers, the train was eventually moved to Sasaram Railway Station for additional technical inspection. The service, which normally reaches Sasaram around 5:40 PM, reportedly arrived at approximately 10:54 PM, resulting in a delay of nearly five hours.

Passengers expressed frustration over the disruption, particularly those with onward travel plans and connecting journeys. Several travelers described the experience as exhausting, citing the long wait and lack of immediate assistance while the train remained stationary.

According to officials of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the technical issue was successfully resolved and the train was later cleared to continue its journey toward Ranchi. Railway authorities are expected to conduct a detailed review of the incident to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and assess whether any preventive measures are required.

The incident has raised concerns among passengers regarding the reliability of high-speed premium train services. While officials emphasized that safety protocols were followed and the train was stopped as a precautionary measure, the episode highlighted the importance of rapid technical response and passenger support during unforeseen disruptions.

Railway authorities have assured passengers that efforts are being made to strengthen maintenance procedures and minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future. The Varanasi–Ranchi Vande Bharat Express remains one of the key rail links connecting eastern Uttar Pradesh with Jharkhand and serves thousands of passengers every week.