Virar-Bharuch MEMU Engine Derails at Gujarat's Bhilad Station, No Injuries Reported

A major rail accident was averted in Gujarat's Valsad district on Monday morning after the engine of the Virar-Bharuch MEMU train derailed just before it was scheduled to halt at Bhilad railway station, triggering panic among passengers and disrupting train services on the busy Mumbai route.

The incident occurred as the MEMU train was entering Platform No. 1 at Bhilad station in Umargam taluka when its engine suddenly slipped off the tracks. Although the derailment sparked panic inside the train and at the station, no injuries or casualties were reported.

Railway officials launch restoration work

Soon after the derailment, senior railway officials and technical teams rushed to the spot and began efforts to restore the engine to the tracks. Authorities have also initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Passengers onboard described moments of panic as the train came to an abrupt halt, with many fearing a major accident before officials confirmed everyone was safe.

Mumbai route services hit

The derailment disrupted rail traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, leading to delays for several trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, Shatabdi Express, Gujarat Express and Vadodara Intercity Express.

The delays left hundreds of daily commuters, business travellers and other passengers stranded at railway stations, causing significant inconvenience.

Second rail disruption in Valsad in recent days

The incident comes just days after heavy rainfall triggered a soil slip near Khadki between Pardi and Udvada in Valsad district, affecting railway operations in the region.

With back-to-back incidents impacting train movement, concerns have grown over rail safety and infrastructure resilience during the monsoon season.