Narrow escape for Hirakhand Express passengers in Odisha

RAYAGADA: Passengers of Jagdalpur bound Hirakhand Express had a narrow escape on Tuesday when a trackman alerted the Railway officials about a crack in the tracks near Singapur station under Visakhapatnam division of East Coast Railways.

The incident took place nine km from Rayagada railway station when the Hirakhand Express was on its way to Jagdalpur. The train was approaching Singapur railway station when trackman Chinna Rao sensed a track cracking. He immediately informed the Station Master of Singapur railway station who detained the train. On checking, the officials found a crack on one of the tracks and informed a technical team. The crack was repaired and the train was allowed to move after an hour. Railway officials said this type of cracks generally occurs on tracks during the winter season and is detected by ground-level workers.