In a tragic incident on October 3, 2025, three people lost their lives, and two others were injured when they were struck by the Vande Bharat Express near Jabanpur in Purnia district, Bihar. The victims were returning from a Dussehra fair when they were hit by the high-speed train. This marks the second fatal accident involving the Vande Bharat Express in Bihar within a week.
Incident Details and Casualties
The accident took place early in the morning on Friday. According to official sources, the victims were hit by the Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express while traveling on the Katihar–Jogbani railway line. Three of the five people involved in the accident died on the spot, and two others sustained severe injuries. The injured were immediately rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Purnia for treatment.
The incident occurred near the Jabanpur area, a busy spot where locals often cross the tracks. The tragic collision resulted in a large crowd gathering at the site, prompting local police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to be quickly deployed to manage the situation. The bodies of the deceased were sent for postmortem examinations, and investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
A Growing Concern: Second Fatal Accident in a Week
This incident marks the second time in less than a week that the Vande Bharat Express has been involved in a fatal accident in Bihar. On September 30, an elderly man was killed when he was hit by the same Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express near the Hatiyagachi railway crossing in Saharsa. This raises serious concerns regarding safety measures around high-speed trains, especially in densely populated or heavily trafficked areas like railway crossings and near stations.
The Vande Bharat Express is one of India’s high-speed trains, designed to run at speeds of up to 160 km/h, making it one of the fastest trains in the country. While these trains aim to reduce travel time and improve efficiency, they also bring about the need for enhanced safety measures at railway crossings, especially in rural or less-developed regions.
The Jogbani-Danapur Vande Bharat Express Route
The Jogbani–Danapur Vande Bharat Express was inaugurated on December 17, 2023. This train departs from Jogbani at 3:25 AM and reaches Purnia at 4:50 AM. From there, it continues its journey through several key stations, including Saharsa, Khagaria, Samastipur, and Muzaffarpur, before finally arriving at its destination in Danapur, Patna, around 11:30 AM. This high-speed service has been a significant addition to Bihar’s railway network, providing faster travel options for commuters traveling between these regions.
Despite the high-speed benefits, this tragic incident underscores the challenges associated with operating such trains in areas where track infrastructure and safety protocols might not be fully equipped to handle the speed of modern trains. The area where the accident occurred is known to have a large number of people walking along or near the railway tracks, often due to lack of proper footbridges or crossings.
Investigations and Safety Concerns
Following the latest accident, local police and railway authorities have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. While the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that the victims were crossing the railway tracks when they were struck by the fast-moving train.
Officials have confirmed that safety measures will be evaluated to prevent further incidents. This includes ensuring better fencing along tracks, increased awareness campaigns for locals, and potentially installing additional warning signals or barriers at major crossings.
In light of these tragic events, railway officials have called for an urgent review of the safety protocols around high-speed trains in the state. There is an increased demand for stricter enforcement of rules to prevent people from crossing tracks, as well as better infrastructure for pedestrian safety.
Public Reaction and Calls for Action
The accidents involving the Vande Bharat Express have sparked public outcry. Local residents and concerned citizens have raised questions about the safety of people living near railway tracks and the effectiveness of existing safety measures. Many people are calling for stronger deterrents, such as elevated footbridges or underpasses at major railway crossings to prevent people from walking along the tracks.
While the Vande Bharat Express promises to revolutionize train travel with its speed and efficiency, it has also brought to light the need for greater focus on infrastructure improvements and public safety. As high-speed trains become more common across India, similar incidents could occur unless proper safety mechanisms are implemented.
The Future of Vande Bharat Express in Bihar
As the Vande Bharat Express continues to operate in Bihar, the state’s railway authorities are expected to take more stringent measures to ensure public safety. The authorities have already started assessing the safety infrastructure and protocols in place around major stations and railway crossings.
While the introduction of high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express has been hailed as a significant step forward in modernizing the country’s railway system, it also presents challenges that must be addressed to prevent further accidents.
The government and railway authorities need to focus on improving both physical infrastructure and public awareness to ensure that such high-speed trains can operate safely without endangering the lives of pedestrians and commuters. Local residents near railway tracks need to be educated about the risks of crossing tracks illegally, and better infrastructure must be built to protect them.
The tragic accident in Purnia and the earlier incident in Saharsa serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by high-speed trains in areas lacking adequate safety infrastructure. While the Vande Bharat Express offers significant travel advantages, its operation in densely populated areas requires more stringent safety protocols and better infrastructure to protect local residents.
The tragic deaths and injuries caused by these accidents call for urgent action from both railway authorities and local governments. Ensuring that people living near railway tracks are provided with safe crossing options and that proper safety measures are in place can prevent such incidents in the future. Only with enhanced safety protocols and infrastructure can the benefits of high-speed rail be fully realized without endangering lives.
As investigations continue, it is expected that the government will take proactive steps to improve safety measures across the railway network, especially in regions where high-speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express operate.
