Gorakhpur. A peculiar situation arose on the 15566 Vaishali Superfast Express—en route from New Delhi to Lalitgram (Bihar) via Gorakhpur—when the chair in the guard’s (train manager’s) coach broke. The guard flatly refused to continue the long journey with a broken chair and halted the train at Gorakhpur Junction. The train’s stoppage caused panic among railway administration and operations department officials. After about an hour of high-voltage drama and receiving both written and verbal assurances from officials that proper seating arrangements would be made at the next station, the guard calmed down, and the train was allowed to proceed.
What is the full story?
The 15566 Vaishali Superfast Express, traveling from New Delhi to Lalitgram, arrived at Gorakhpur Junction on schedule. A crew change (loco pilot and guard) was due at the station. When the new train manager (guard) arrived at the rearmost coach—the brake van—to assume duty, he was furious at what he saw.
The chair provided for the guard in the brake van was completely broken and in a dilapidated state. The train manager informed the officials that performing duty on such a long route without proper seating arrangements was not only physically painful but also risky from a safety perspective. He stated unequivocally that he would not take the train forward until a new chair was provided.
Panic among railway staff and officials
The moment the train manager refused to take up duty, the Station Master, along with senior staff from the mechanical and operations departments at Gorakhpur Junction, were thrown into a state of panic. The sudden halt of a major, busy superfast train like the Vaishali Express at the junction began to disrupt signaling and scheduling across the entire rail route.
As soon as senior officials of the North Eastern Railway (NER) got wind of the matter, a commotion ensued. Officials from the operations department and the technical team rushed to the site and attempted to reason with the train manager.
Officials Plead and Promise a Replacement Seat Ahead
While trying to persuade the guard, officials explained that arranging an immediate replacement for the chair at the current station would take time, causing a significant delay to the train. They requested the following:
- The train should proceed to the next station.
- Proper arrangements for a new chair or seating would be made on a priority basis at the next major station (where the Carriage and Wagon department has a depot).
- He should cooperate, keeping in mind the convenience of the hundreds of passengers on board and the impact on the operation of subsequent trains.
After considerable effort and persuasion, the train manager agreed to the officials’ assurances and consented to resume his duties. Subsequently, the train was given the green signal to proceed.
Train Delayed by One Hour; Passengers Inconvenienced
Due to this entire episode, the Vaishali Superfast Express remained halted at Gorakhpur Junction for approximately one hour. The unexpected stoppage caused considerable confusion and anxiety among passengers in the coaches. Passengers faced significant hardship due to the train’s prolonged, unnecessary halt—first at the outer signal and then at the platform—during the hot weather.
Questions Raised Regarding Rail Safety and Brake Van Maintenance
This incident has once again raised serious questions about the dilapidated condition of train manager (guard) coaches (SLR/brake vans) and the maintenance of basic amenities within Indian Railways.
Railway employee unions frequently allege that insufficient attention is paid to the maintenance of running staff cabins (for loco pilots and guards) compared to passenger coaches. Complaints regarding dilapidated chairs, malfunctioning fans, or non-functional lights are common. The incident in Gorakhpur highlights the negligence of the railway’s mechanical and maintenance departments.
