Bengaluru: BMTC bus stuck at railway crossing as Vande Bharat train approaches

Vande Bharat train

A Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus carrying more than 10 passengers got stuck on a railway track at Ramohalli railway crossing near Kengeri as the Mysuru-Chennai Vande Bharat train approached.

BMTC sources said the incident occurred around 7:15am on April 1 near Ramohalli railway crossing. The bus (KA 57 F 2939), belonging to Depot-21 (RR Nagar) and operating on route no. 227J/1 (Maligondanahalli - KR Market), became stranded on the track.

"When the driver, Easwariah, attempted to start the bus in the next gear, it came to a halt on the track due to an airlock issue. Despite multiple attempts, the bus neither moved forward nor restarted," a BMTC official told Moneycontrol.

The driver immediately alerted BMTC and railway officials.  A South Western Railway (SWR) official told Moneycontrol that the bus was stuck at the railway gate between Hejjala and Kengeri around 7:15am and was cleared by 7:35am.

Bengaluru divisional railway manager Amitesh Kumar Sinha said, "The BMTC bus was stuck at a level crossing gate, which had a safety interlocking system. This means that if there is any obstruction at the gate, the signal will not permit the train to pass, ensuring compliance with safety norms."

"Accordingly, the train was stopped, as seen in the picture, following the standard safety protocol of the railways. BMTC bus got stuck while passing through the level crossing gate due to a fault in its braking system. It was later removed with the help of a BMTC crane." he said.

Following this, Train no. 20663 Mysuru- Chennai Vande Bharat Express was detained at the level crossing from 7:18am to 7:53am (35 minutes), and Train no. 12785  Kacheguda-Mysuru Express was delayed from 7:23am to 7:53am (30 minutes).

BMTC officials, alerted to the situation, dispatched a mechanic and a tow vehicle to remove the stranded bus. "The driver tried to start the vehicle in gear, which led to an airlock, causing it to get stuck on the railway track. Immediately, railway officials and BMTC were informed. A wrecker and mechanics were sent from Kengeri bus stand, and the bus was towed, the airlock was released, and it was sent back on its route," a BMTC spokesperson told Moneycontrol.