GT Express Catches Fire Near Wardha: Major Tragedy Averted on New Delhi-Chennai Route; Passengers Safe
Wardha/Nagpur: A major rail disaster was narrowly averted on Tuesday morning after a fire broke out on the New Delhi-Chennai Grand Trunk (GT) Express near Wardha. Prompt action by railway staff ensured that all passengers were evacuated safely before the flames could spread to other coaches.
Smoke Detected Near Sindi Station
The incident occurred at approximately 11:09 AM on February 17, 2026. Train No. 12616 (GT Express), which had departed from Nagpur earlier in the morning, was en route to Chennai (Tambaram) when alert railway personnel noticed smoke emanating from the rear of the train.
The fire was localized in the SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rack) coach, also known as the guard’s van, as the train approached the Sindi-Tuljapur section in the Wardha district. Upon being alerted, the loco pilot and guard immediately brought the train to a halt.
🚨 Major tragedy averted near Wardha! A fire broke out in the SLR coach of the New Delhi-Chennai GT Express (12616) today. All passengers are reported safe thanks to swift action by @Central_Railway staff. 🚆🔥#GTExpress #IndianRailways #BreakingNews #Wardha #Nagpur #RailSafety pic.twitter.com/ioQiBRdAre
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) February 17, 2026
Swift Evacuation and Emergency Response
Central Railway spokesperson Sanjay Muley confirmed that the priority was passenger safety. “The train was stopped immediately between Sindi and Tuljapur stations. The affected SLR coach, which reportedly had about 25–30 passengers, was promptly detached from the rest of the train to prevent the fire from spreading to the passenger bogeys,” Muley stated.
Fire brigade units from Wardha were rushed to the spot and successfully extinguished the blaze. While the guard’s coach was severely damaged, no injuries or casualties were reported. Passengers from the affected coach were accommodated in other sections of the train.
Short Circuit Suspected; Probe Ordered
While a formal investigation is underway, preliminary reports suggest a short circuit in the electrical system of the SLR coach may have triggered the fire. High-level railway officials have reached the site to supervise the clearance of the tracks.
Impact on Train Schedule
Following the detachment of the charred coach, the GT Express was cleared to resume its journey toward Chennai. However, the incident caused a temporary disruption on the Nagpur-Wardha rail route, leading to minor delays for several following trains.
Central Railway has assured that a detailed technical audit of the coach will be conducted to pinpoint the exact cause of the mishap.
