Three coaches of the Ujjaini Express derailed at Rishikesh’s Yog Nagari railway station late Monday night during a routine shunting operation, triggering panic in the area but fortunately causing no injuries as the train was empty at the time.

According to railway officials, the incident occurred when the engine collided with a buffer stop (dead-end) at the end of the shunting line, leading to excessive pressure on the train coaches. As a result, one coach came completely off the tracks, while another reportedly bent from the middle due to the impact. The incident involved the train being shifted from the platform to a nearby shunting line for its scheduled departure the next morning.

How the derailment happened

The Ujjaini Express had arrived at Yog Nagari Rishikesh railway station on Monday evening at around 6:00 PM. It was scheduled to depart the next morning at approximately 6:15 AM. As part of standard procedure, the train was being moved to a shunting line at around 9:42 PM.

During this movement, the engine reportedly hit the buffer stop at the end of the track. The sudden impact created a powerful jerk across the rake, resulting in derailment of three coaches. Railway sources confirmed that the train was empty at the time, preventing any casualties.

Panic in nearby area after loud noise

Residents living near the railway yard reported hearing a loud crash-like sound at the time of the incident. The noise was strong enough to draw people out of their homes and shops. Visuals from the site showed one coach tilted off the tracks and another visibly damaged from the middle section. The derailment created temporary chaos near the station area, prompting railway staff and police to rush to the location.

Traffic disruption and emergency response

The incident also impacted local movement, with the nearby railway crossing at Raiwala remaining closed for nearly 40 minutes. This caused traffic disruption for commuters in Raiwala, Khadgaon, Gohri Mafi and nearby cantonment areas, affecting an estimated population of around 40,000 people. Railway engineering teams, RPF personnel, and police immediately reached the spot. Rescue equipment was mobilised to clear the tracks and remove the damaged coaches. Repair and restoration work continued late into the night. Officials said efforts were underway to restore normal operations, though the exact departure schedule of the train remained uncertain.

Railway statement and investigation

A senior official from the Moradabad railway division confirmed that the train had no passengers on board at the time of the incident and that it was being moved only for yard operations. The official stated that a technical investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident, including whether it was due to mechanical failure, excessive force during shunting, or human error. Local police also confirmed that no casualties were reported.

About Ujjaini Express

The Ujjaini Express is an important train connecting Indore in Madhya Pradesh with Haridwar, Yog Nagari Rishikesh, and Dehradun in Uttarakhand. It operates twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, and is widely used by pilgrims and tourists travelling to Uttarakhand’s spiritual destinations.