Crane Collapse During Bullet Train Work in Ahmedabad Disrupts Rail Services, 25 Trains Canceled

Ahmedabad, March 24 – A major accident occurred during the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project near Vatva in Ahmedabad, where a massive 250-ton crane collapsed late at night. The incident left two people injured and disrupted railway services between Ahmedabad and Mumbai for over 12 hours.

The crane, which was placed on a bullet train pillar near the Rupda Bridge, suddenly fell for unknown reasons. Upon receiving information, the police and officials from the National High-Speed Rail Authority (NHSRCL) rushed to the site to assess the situation.

Train Services Severely Affected

Due to the accident, overhead railway wires were damaged, disrupting train services between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Ten trains heading toward Ahmedabad from Vadodara were halted at various stations overnight. While the up-line is operational, the down-line remains closed, leading to the cancellation of 25 trains and rescheduling or diversion of 11 others.

Among the major affected trains are the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Karnavati Express, Gujarat Queen, and Double Decker Express. The railway department has set up a help desk at Vadodara station for affected passengers.

Bullet Train Project Officials Remain Silent

Despite the scale of the disruption, officials from the bullet train project have remained silent about the incident. Western Railway’s Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Sudhir Sharma, also refrained from commenting on the matter.

Restoration Work Underway

The collapse also affected the railway’s high-tension lines, further complicating efforts to restore services. NHSRCL has deployed three additional cranes to expedite restoration work. Meanwhile, railway authorities are working on repairing the overhead electrical lines to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Emergency Helpline Numbers Released

To assist passengers, railway authorities have issued helpline numbers for Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Viramgam, Mehsana, Gandhidham, and Palanpur railway stations. Travelers are advised to check train schedules before planning their journey.

This incident highlights the risks involved in large-scale infrastructure projects and the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.