Minor Fire on Delhi Metro Train at Rajiv Chowk Station, Passengers Unharmed

A minor fire broke out on a Delhi Metro train at Rajiv Chowk station on Monday evening, causing a brief stir among passengers. The incident occurred around 6:21 pm while the train was heading towards Vaishali.

The incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and swift response protocols in public transportation systems to ensure passenger safety. Any lapses in these protocols can have serious consequences, including loss of life and disruption of critical services.

According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the fire was caused by external material getting caught between the pantograph and the overhead equipment for electrification. This led to what is termed as 'pantograph flashing,' which the DMRC clarified poses no safety threat or hazard to passengers.

Passengers recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones while the train doors were open. These videos quickly circulated online, showing the minor fire emanating from the roof of the train.

The DMRC responded quickly by putting the affected rel="noopener noreferrer">pantograph out of service. The train continued its trip after a brief delay of around five minutes, using the remaining pantographs.

In an official statement, the DMRC assured that the incident posed no safety threat to passengers: *'The extant incident was a case of pantograph flashing which occurs at times when some external material gets stuck between overhead equipment for electrification (OHE) and pantograph. It poses no safety threat or hazard to passengers.'*

The DMRC has stated that the exact cause of the fire will be investigated further to prevent any future occurrences. Meanwhile, the quick resolution of the issue ensured that the metro services continued with minimal disruption.

The incident at Rajiv Chowk station highlights the importance of regular maintenance and swift response protocols in public transportation systems. While the fire caused a momentary alarm, the effective handling of the situation by the DMRC helped to maintain passenger safety and service continuity.

Key Takeaways

• Minor fire breaks out on Delhi Metro train at Rajiv Chowk station.
• Cause: External material gets stuck between pantograph and overhead equipment.
• DMRC responds quickly, puts affected pantograph out of service.
• Train continues journey with brief 5-minute delay, no safety threat.
• DMRC to investigate cause to prevent future occurrences.