Patna: With the water level of Punpun river continuing to remain alarming and touching the girder of the railway bridge number 21 located between Punpun and Parsa Bazaar stations, the railways cancelled at least 10 MEMU passenger trains and diverted routes of the equal number operating on the Patna-Gaya section under Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) on Sunday.According to Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (senior DCM) Abhinav Siddarth, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and railway infrastructure in view of the rising water level.Several other passenger trains running on the route like Purnia Court-Hatia Express (18625/18626), Dhanbad-Patna Express (13329/13330), Banaras-Rajgir Express (15137/15138), Nawada-Patna MEMU (63389/63390) and Ismalpur- Patna MEMU (63391/63392) were diverted through alternative routes to avoid any risk, he said, adding the Down line on the Gaya-Patna route particularly between Punpun and Parsa Bazaar remained closed for the second consecutive day while single UP line was fully into operation to clear traffic operations between Patna and Gaya on Sunday. Among the cancelled MEMU passenger trains were Patna–Gaya MEMU train services (63242, 63244, 63245, 63247, 63248, 63251, 63256, 63274, 63250 and 63253) on both Sunday and Monday, he said.A railway surveillance team has been deployed at the site and is keeping a close watch on the water level of the Punpun and the condition of the rail bridge. Officials from the engineering and operating departments are continuously monitoring the situation, Siddarth said, adding Danapur control war room has been functioning round the clock.The train operations on the affected route would be regulated depending on the water level and safety assessment by technical teams. “The movement of trains through the available route will be restored fully once the water level recedes and the bridge is declared safe for normal operations,” the senior DCM said, adding passengers have been advised to check the latest train status before starting their journey and cooperate with railway officials during the temporary regulation of train services.The railway safety team has also been in touch with the state govt and NRDF to act swiftly in any emergency, he said.
