High-level inquiry committee set up to probe Rajdhani Express fire: Railway Board

Fire fighting operations are underway as a massive fire broke out in Coach B-1 of Train No. 12431 Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express at Ratlam on 17 May 2026. All passengers were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported. | Photo credit: ANI

The West Central Railway Zone has set up a high administrative level inquiry committee to investigate the fire on the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on Sunday (May 17, 2026).

The fire broke out at 5:15 am in passenger coach B-1 of the train between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha stations under Kota Railway division, an hour and a half after it left Ratlam Junction in Madhya Pradesh, according to an official. The fire also damaged the trunk brake and generator set behind the coach.

“The committee has been nominated by the Managing Director of West Central Railway (WCR). It consists of senior officers of West Central Railway, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation),” the railway board said in a press release.

“Principal Chief Security Officer, WCR, has been appointed as the convener of the committee,” it said and also mentioned other members of the committee like Chief Chief Electrical Engineer, Chief Chief Mechanical Engineer, Chief Security Officer from WCR Zone and Chief Chief Mechanical Engineer from Integrated Coach Factory and others.

In accordance with the provisions of the Emergency Manual, the Committee was directed to complete the investigation within a specified time frame.

The board said that the committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the causes of the incident, technical aspects and safety parameters to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

“Indian Railways remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of passengers and is taking all necessary measures in this regard,” it added.

Published – 17 May 2026 22:46 IST