Ayodhya Express delayed after bomb scare
A bomb threat on the Ayodhya Express caused widespread panic on Friday evening, forcing a temporary halt and mass evacuation of passengers. The Delhi-bound train (14205) was stopped at Barabanki junction after a chilling message warning of an explosion was discovered inside the lavatory of the S8 coach. Security agencies, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF), bomb disposal squad, and local police, launched an exhaustive search operation, delaying the train by over two hours. The threat was ultimately found to be a hoax, but not before travel schedules were thrown into disarray, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
According to Kuldeep Tiwari, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr DCM) of Northern Railway’s Lucknow division, the onboard RPF squad was the first to detect the threat. The alarming message, discovered at 6:45 PM, was immediately reported to the Barabanki control room. Responding with urgency, railway officials ordered the train to be halted at Barabanki junction by 7:03 PM. Passengers were promptly evacuated with the assistance of the Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF personnel, while a joint team of the bomb squad, civil police, and a local army unit carried out an extensive search of the train. Every compartment was combed, sniffer dogs were deployed, and emergency protocols were activated to ensure the safety of passengers.
The incident underscores the ongoing security vulnerabilities in India’s railway network, where false threats continue to disrupt operations and cause mass inconvenience. While authorities acted swiftly and efficiently, the recurring nature of such hoaxes raises concerns about the need for more advanced security measures. The disruption not only delayed passengers but also highlighted the increasing burden on railway security forces, which must balance rapid threat response with ensuring minimal disruption to the network. Experts have long called for the integration of AI-driven surveillance, enhanced CCTV monitoring, and stricter legal repercussions for those issuing fake threats to deter such incidents.
After receiving security clearance, the Ayodhya Express resumed its journey, reaching Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station at 10:23 PM instead of its scheduled arrival time of 7:40 PM. Though no explosives were found, the delay affected hundreds of passengers, many of whom had connecting travel plans. Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a stronger security infrastructure to ensure the safety of commuters without causing prolonged travel disruptions. The incident also raises questions about public awareness and the importance of responsible behaviour to avoid unnecessary panic and operational chaos in an already strained transport system.
