Vande Bharat Halted at Davangere Due to ‘Hot Axle’ Alert; Passengers Safely Relocated

A Vande Bharat train traveling from Dharwad to Bengaluru was abruptly halted at Karnataka’s Davangere station on Friday after a "hot axle" alert was detected in the C4 coach, the South Western Railway (SWR) confirmed. The issue was spotted around 3:30 PM by a vigilant level crossing gatekeeper near Amaravati Colony. Acting quickly, railway officials stopped the train to conduct a thorough inspection.

A "hot axle" occurs when an object gets lodged near the axle, creating dangerous friction and excessive heat, which can lead to smoke, fire, and even catastrophic failures if not addressed. Railway authorities immediately initiated safety protocols and alternative travel arrangements to minimize disruption for passengers.

Over 500 passengers were on board the affected train. According to SWR, passengers were accommodated on other trains, including the Jan Shatabdi Express and Jodhpur Express, to continue their journey to Bengaluru. Additionally, food and snacks were distributed at Arsikere station. Help desks were also set up at major stations such as KSR Bengaluru (SBC) and Yesvantpur (YPR) to assist passengers upon arrival.

SWR further confirmed that passengers are being offered fare refunds for the difference in ticket costs due to the shift to alternate trains. All passengers were reported safe and cooperative throughout the disruption. SWR apologized for the inconvenience caused and appreciated the swift action taken by railway staff to avoid any mishaps.