Late Wednesday night (October 21), a coal-laden goods train derailed between Vrindavan and Ajhai stations on the Mathura-Palwal section. Thirteen wagons of the train went off the tracks, severely disrupting train movement on the busy Delhi-Agra rail route. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, but the railway tracks suffered extensive damage.
Circle Officer (Mathura) Sandeep Kumar Singh, who arrived at the spot, confirmed that the derailment affected the up, down, and third lines. Only the fourth track was operational, and trains were allowed to pass on it with caution.
Railway authorities immediately launched rescue and restoration operations. The derailed wagons, filled with coal, spilled across multiple tracks, bringing train movement to a complete halt. As a result, dozens of trains were either cancelled, partially cancelled, or rerouted.
Several Major Trains Cancelled, Routes of Others Diverted
Agra Division Public Relations Officer Prashasti Srivastava stated that many major trains were cancelled following the incident. These include:
- 64958 Palwal–Agra Cantt MEMU
- 64955 Agra Cantt–Tundla MEMU
- 22470-22469 Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express
- 12002-12001 Shatabdi Express
- 12280-12279 Taj Express
- 20452-20451 Sogaria Intercity Superfast Express
- 12050-12049 Gatimaan Express
In addition, the routes of several trains have been changed, including:
- 12486 Hazur Sahib Express
- 12472 Swaraj Express
- 20156 New Delhi–Ambedkar Nagar Express
- 12172 Haridwar–Mumbai Express
- 22210 Duronto Express
- 12722 Dakshin Superfast Express
- 01494 Pune Superfast Express
Some trains have also been partially cancelled.
North Central Railway has diverted trains headed toward Western and West Central Railways. Trains going to Rewari, Alwar, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, and Bina have been planned to run via Ghaziabad, Mitawali, Agra Cantt, and Bina.
Festive Season Travel Disrupted, Passengers Stranded
The derailment has caused major inconvenience to passengers, especially during the ongoing festive season. Many trains are running 2 to 3 hours behind schedule. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Mathura railway station, and complaints are continuously being received on railway helplines. Passengers are not only facing delays but are also struggling to make alternative travel arrangements due to sudden cancellations.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred on this route. In September 2024, a similar accident took place between Jait and Vrindavan Road stations, where 25 wagons of a coal-laden goods train derailed. That incident had also brought the Delhi-Agra route to a complete standstill for several hours.
While one track has now been reopened, repair work on the remaining tracks is still ongoing. Railway authorities have requested passengers to check the latest travel updates through the official website or helpline numbers before starting their journey.
