Rail traffic on a crucial section in Bihar faced significant disruption this week, leading to the diversion of multiple key trains. The cause was ongoing track restoration work between Jasidih and Jhajha, necessitated by a goods train derailment that occurred on Saturday night in Jamui district.
Major Trains Rerouted, Schedules Disrupted
On Monday, railway authorities were forced to divert more than a dozen trains headed for Kolkata. These services either originated from or passed through the important Patna Junction. The complete blockade of both up and down lines on the Jhajha-Jasidih section meant trains had to take longer, alternative routes.
Among the most notable affected services were two premium connections: the Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (22348) and the Patna-Howrah Janshatabdi Express (12024). Official sources confirmed the Vande Bharat was rerouted via the Gaya-Dhanbad-Pradhankhunta corridor. Meanwhile, the Janshatabdi Express took a path through Kiul, Bhagalpur, Banka, and Jasidih.
Passenger Inconvenience and Extended Delays
The cascading effect of these diversions was severe inconvenience for travelers. Passengers experienced:
- Extended travel times due to longer routes.
- Unexpected changes in their journey paths.
- Significant delays at multiple stations across Bihar.
The Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express departed from Patna at 9:52 AM, nearly two hours past its scheduled 8:00 AM departure, attributed partly to foggy conditions. It finally reached Howrah one hour and 49 minutes behind schedule. Similarly, the Janshatabdi Express arrived at its destination over an hour late. Several other express and superfast trains bound for Howrah via Patna faced similar rerouting and partial cancellations, compounding the difficulties.
A Critical Link Remains Blocked
A senior official from Danapur railway division highlighted the importance of the affected section. “The Jhajha-Jasidih section is a crucial link on the Delhi-Patna-Howrah mainline, handling a high volume of passenger and freight traffic daily,” the official stated. The official further advised passengers to remain alert for potential further diversions and delays until the track restoration work is fully completed.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of key rail infrastructure and the widespread impact a single disruption can have on passenger mobility across one of India's busiest rail corridors.
