“The train was supposed to depart at 12.40 pm today…now the inquiry counter has said it will leave Howrah after 6 pm. I hope there is no further delay as we might miss our exams. I hope we leave by 31st midnight at least,” Roy told The Indian Express.

Another distressed passenger Ram Prasad Bisnoyi from Bhabanipur, was scheduled to board the Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express for a court appearance in Bhubaneswar. However, the train’s delay jeopardised his plans. “It is so scary to travel by train these days. I was supposed to board the Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express at 2.15 pm, but it is now likely to depart at 7.15 pm today,” Bisnoyi said.

The derailment has caused widespread disruption in train services. Several express trains on the affected route have been cancelled, while others are running late. To assist passengers, help desks have been set up at Howrah station by railways officials and West Bengal police.

“We have been sitting since morning. It is an unfortunate incident. So far, one relative of a person injured in the incident has approached us. We have also received several inquiries from people whose trains have been cancelled,” said T T Mousumi Deb, a personnel at the Help Desk.

As passengers grapple with uncertainty and inconvenience, there is a growing demand for improved railway safety measures.

Farah Khatoon, another student travelling to Bengaluru from Howrah, said, “I too have an examination on August 1, I hope I will be able to reach for that…but what’s more worrisome for me is whether I will reach safe and fine. These days, there is no guarantee.”

At least three trains – the Shalimar-MGR Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Howrah SMVT Bengaluru Humsafar Express, and Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express – have been delayed by 4-5 hours.

Railway officials have confirmed the cancellation of 11 long-route trains, short termination of six trains, and diversion of 17 trains.