Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, May 3: There was information that fire had been ignited in Matsyagandha Express train in the early hours of May 1 near Kankon station in Goa, which made the passengers panicky. The railway officials had handled the issue at Kankon before proceeding toward Mangaluru.

The railway officials stated that the smoke which emanated from near the wheels of the train had occurred at 2.13 am on Wednesday after the train left Madgaon station on account of brake binding problem and it was not a fire accident.

The officials said that during the level crossing near Balli, smoke had come out of the engine as there was no air movement in the engine. Under such circumstances, sparks normally occur from the brake binding, they said, adding that the technical staff had attended to the problem and paved way for the train's smooth forward journey. They added that other than causing a delay of 12 minutes, this incident did not cause any damage and that it was not serious.

Sudha Krishnamurthy, public relations officer of the railway department, said that suitable steps to ensure the safety of passengers have been taken at Madgaon railway division.