Passengers evacuated after alert driver notices fire in power car

Karwar: A major tragedy was averted, thanks to an alert driver who noticed smoke in front of a power car attached to a train near Karwar on Sunday morning.

Train No. 22476, Coimbatore-Bikaner Express was scheduled to reach Karwar at 2.30 am on Sunday but was delayed and reached at 7.15 am due to the doubling of tracks in Dakshina Kannada.

Sources say that as the train was travelling through a tunnel about a kilometer away from Karwar station, the driver noticed smoke emanating from the front power car attached to the AC bogey. He immediately informed the station master at Karwar and the train moved slowly as it was supposed to halt there.

As soon as the train reached the station, the passengers were evacuated and the first three AC bogeys were separated. Fire engines at the station managed to douse the fire. No loss to life or property was reported.

Railway officials said that it was a minor incident and that inquiry had been ordered.