Alert Villagers Prevent Major Railway Accident Near Godhra After Mine Blast Damages Power Line

Godhra | Gujarat —  A major railway accident was averted near Pandyapura village in Godhra on Tuesday afternoon after villagers showed remarkable alertness and presence of mind. Following a mine blast at Bhagirath Mines, a large stone struck the railway’s overhead power line (OHE), breaking the cable and disrupting the power supply.

A goods train was speeding on the same route when villagers noticed the damage. Realising the danger, locals wearing red clothes waved makeshift red flags to alert the train driver. Their timely action helped prevent a major tragedy, although the train took some time to stop due to its speed.

How the incident happened

According to reports, the main OHE power cable of the railway line passing through Pandyapura was damaged by debris from a mine blast at Bhagirath Mines. The impact broke the stay tube and bracket tube of the power cable, cutting off electricity and causing sparks on the track.

As the train approached, the power supply failure automatically halted the goods train before it could reach the affected section. Railway officials confirmed that the explosion’s shockwave and falling stones caused additional damage to the power line and surrounding area.

Villagers’ quick thinking averted disaster

Local villagers acted swiftly as soon as they realized the danger. Several residents took off their red turbans and clothes, waving them to signal the train driver to stop. A video of their heroic act has gone viral on social media, with many praising their presence of mind and community awareness.

Thanks to their quick action, no casualties or injuries were reported. Railway authorities later acknowledged that the villagers’ prompt response was critical in avoiding a potentially deadly accident.

Locals accuse mine operators of negligence

Following the incident, villagers accused Bhagirath Mines of repeated negligence and unsafe blasting practices. They alleged that blasting is often carried out without proper safety measures, endangering nearby residents and critical railway infrastructure.

“This is not the first time,” a local resident said. “Blasting happens frequently, and stones fall dangerously close to the railway track. The authorities must take strict action.”

Railway officials rush to the site

Upon receiving the report, a team of railway engineers and technicians reached Pandyapura to assess the damage and restore the OHE line. Temporary repairs were made immediately, and rail traffic was diverted to another track to avoid disruption.

Although services were briefly affected, officials confirmed that railway operations returned to normal within a few hours.

Railway sources stated that a detailed investigation is underway to determine liability and prevent recurrence. Authorities have also informed the local administration to monitor future mining activities near railway routes more strictly.