Stone pelting on Bhagalpur–Howrah Vande Bharat train
Times of India | 15 April 2025
NEW DELHI: A stone-pelting incident occurred on the Bhagalpur–Howrah Vande Bharat Express near Hatpuraini halt, situated between Bhagalpur and Tikani stations on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.
The attack resulted in the window glass of Coach No. C2, specifically seat numbers 53 and 54, being shattered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Railway officials have started reviewing CCTV footage from the train to identify those responsible. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched an investigation and is taking necessary steps to track down the culprits.
Malda Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Manish Kumar Gupta said, “All efforts are being made to identify the individuals involved, and strict action will be taken as per the law.”
To prevent further incidents, security has been increased, and patrolling along the route has been intensified.
This is not the first such incident on the Vande Bharat Express or other trains in the region. Similar stone-pelting occurrences have raised serious concerns over passenger safety. In December 2024, a Vande Bharat coach window was completely shattered by stone pelting between Bhagalpur and Dumka.
Despite awareness campaigns conducted by railway authorities in villages near affected routes, such incidents continue to be a recurring problem.