Dhanbad: A proposal has been put forward to run a Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Tarapith (Rampurhat), home to the revered shrine of Maa Tara, to Delhi via Dhanbad. The proposed route would pass through Dubrajpur, Sainthia, Suri, Asansol, and Dhanbad before heading toward the national capital.
The proposal is expected to be discussed during a meeting between legislators and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during his visit to West Bengal on Saturday. There is a strong possibility that the minister may approve the new train service connecting Tarapith and Delhi.
Additional Train Service for Dhanbad
If approved, the new service would provide Dhanbad with another direct train to Delhi. It would also offer a direct rail connection between Dhanbad and Rampurhat, adding to existing direct services such as Vananchal Express, Ranchi–Kamakhya Express, and Malda Town–Surat Express.
Earlier, there had been discussions about launching the first Vande Bharat Sleeper services between Howrah and Delhi and Patna and Delhi, but a sleeper version was later introduced on the Howrah–Kamakhya route instead.
Rail Services Affected After Freight Train Derailment
Meanwhile, rail operations continued to be disrupted for a second day following the derailment of a coal-laden freight train near Rajhara Station in the Latehar section.
The 116-wagon long-haul freight train derailed on Thursday afternoon, with 15 wagons leaving the tracks and sustaining severe damage. The accident also damaged railway tracks, overhead electrical wires, and signal poles. Restoration work has been ongoing, and rail services are expected to resume after repairs are completed.
Ranchi–Sasaram Express Cancelled
The Ranchi–Sasaram Express remained cancelled, and the return Sasaram–Ranchi Express scheduled for Saturday was also cancelled.
Railway General Manager Chhatrasal Singh was scheduled to inspect the accident site on Saturday.
Trains Running on Diversion Routes
Several trains were operated on alternate routes due to the disruption:
- Purulia–Anand Vihar Terminal Express (14021) was diverted via Kotshila, Bokaro, Gomoh, Gaya, and Son Nagar.
- Ranchi–Varanasi Express (18611) was diverted via Bokaro, Gomoh, Gaya, and Son Nagar.
- Ranchi–New Delhi Garib Rath Express (12877) was diverted via Bokaro, Gomoh, Gaya, and Son Nagar.
- Santragachi–Ajmer Express (18009) was diverted via Bokaro, Gomoh, Gaya, and Son Nagar.
- Tatanagar–Jammu Tawi Express (18101) was diverted via Bokaro, Gomoh, Gaya, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU).
Rail services on routes passing through Barkakana–Latehar were also operated via Gomoh and Gaya due to the ongoing disruption.
Courtesy: Dainik Jagran
