Train services disrupted near Bansberia due to overhead wire fault, passengers face long delays

Train services on the Howrah–Katwa rail branch were severely disrupted on Sunday evening after a train’s pantograph broke near Bansberia station, halting operations on key sections and leaving passengers stranded.

Railway sources said the pantograph, which is connected to the overhead wire, broke, causing the train to stop immediately. Technical and engineering teams reached the site to begin repair work, but operations on the Up Bandel and Up Katwa lines remained suspended for several hours.

Passengers at Chuchura station reported being stuck for over an hour, particularly on platform number three where an Up Katwa local train was stranded. Trains on the Bandel and Bardhaman main lines were rerouted through the down line and reverse line, but delays persisted.

Commuters expressed frustration over the prolonged stoppage. “The train has been standing for about one and a half hours. Suddenly it stopped due to an overhead wire problem,” one passenger said, highlighting uncertainty over reaching their destination.

Former Railway chief PR officer Bed Prakash confirmed the technical fault and said repair teams are on site. He assured that operations would resume shortly once the overhead wire is fixed, but travelers were advised to expect delays in the meantime.