Recently, the news has flashed reporting that the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express in Telangana’s Yadadri Bhongir district caught fire on July 7, 2023. A fire started in one of the coaches and spread to three other coaches between Bommaipally and Pagidipally stations in Telangana. Three compartments, viz., S4, S5, and S6, have major damage, while two additional bogies have minor damage.

The shocking incident occurred at about 11 a.m., just before the train was about to reach the Secunderabad railway station. A railway employee noticed smoke coming from a compartment, prompting the locomotive pilot to stop the train. The train’s crew immediately initiated emergency protocols, including activating fire alarms and making announcements to inform passengers about the situation.

The railway officials and staff members alerted several rescue teams, which included police and fire departments, viz., Rachakonda police, Bhongir district administration, District Disaster Response Force, Railway Police, and RPF.

The alerted fire departments received an SOS at 11:17 a.m., following which a fire tender from Bhongir rushed to the spot first. Later, fire tenders from Aleru, Yadagirigutta, Cherlapally, Ramannapet, and Choutuppal also joined rescue operations. The prompt action from the railway staff and local authorities helped prevent major casualties such as deaths or major physical injuries to passengers.

The national transport company has organized 12 special buses for the 12703 Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express train’s passengers to facilitate their movement away from the incident’s site. These buses enabled passengers’ to reach their intended destinations or to make alternate travel arrangements.

The South Central Railway collaborated with several service providers to effectively manage the aftermath. Medical services were provided to injured individuals, and other arrangements were made to give the affected passengers food, water, and other essential supplies during their transit to Secunderabad station. The helpline numbers 04027786140, 86170, and BSNL-040 27801111 at the Secunderabad Railway stations to help families of travelers in need are in service.

After successfully evacuating all passengers safely, Mr. CH Rakesh, CPRO South Central Railway Officer, stated that all passengers were safely de-boarded on time before any casualties could occur. Moreover, DGP Anjani Kumar also tweeted, “Out of 18 coaches, 11 have been detached and taken away safely. 7 bogies caught fire, out of which fire is extinguished in 3 bogies as of now,” and further added that “All passengers are safely evacuated and shifted in buses after a fire broke out in the Falaknuma Express near Bhongir rural PS limits. The police, Fire department, and Railways are working in coordination. So far, no fatalities have been reported.”

The distressing aftereffects of the fire on the Falaknuma Express train disrupted the itinerary for many passengers because some trains were partially cancelled or diverted. For instance, the South Central Railway cancelled the 17064 and 17645 Secunderabad-Manmad trains.

SI K. Salakamma of GRP Nalgonda has registered a fire accident case and started an investigation following a complaint lodged by the Nalgonda station manager. Consequently, the damaged coaches have been diverted to the Bibinagar railway station for further examination. Furthermore, the railroads will conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the reasons that were responsible for the fire breakout on the Falaknuma Express. Lastly, the railroads decided to detour certain trains on Saturday while canceling the operations of other trains.