LUCKNOW: A portion of a platform shed at Lucknow's Charbagh railway station collapsed on Friday morning, injuring two passengers and a train ticket examiner (TTE), prompting railway authorities to order an inquiry and suspend the site engineer overseeing redevelopment work.
The incident occurred around 8 am on platform 5, where passengers were waiting to board the Howrah-Doon Express (13037). The station is currently undergoing a major redevelopment project being carried out by the Rail Land Development Authority.
According to railway officials, the collapsed shed had already been earmarked for removal as part of the ongoing modernization exercise. While adjacent platform 4 has remained closed for passenger train operations since May 15 due to construction of an air concourse, platform 5 continued to be operational.
A video recorded shortly after the incident showed Railway Protection Force personnel rescuing a passenger and a TTE whose limbs were trapped beneath the heavy metal structure.
Northern Railway divisional railway manager Sunil Kumar Verma said platform 4 has been blocked for passenger trains till June 23. However, platform 5 was operational. "Unfortunately, a portion of the shed collapsed on Friday, injuring three people, including two passengers and a TTE," he said.
The injured passengers were identified as Sahil and Abhishek, who were scheduled to travel to Haridwar aboard the Howrah-Doon Express. The injured TTE was identified as Bhupinder Singh. Railway officials said all three received immediate medical treatment and are now out of danger.
Senior divisional commercial manager Samarth Gupta confirmed that the injured persons are stable. Sources said Bhupinder Singh sustained a fracture in his leg.
The station director Gaurav Dixit said the two passengers suffered minor injuries, were discharged after treatment and were each given an ex gratia payment of Rs 5,000.
Northern Railway headquarters said the site engineer has been suspended in connection with the incident and a substantial penalty has been imposed on the agency responsible for the work. A committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of the collapse and examine whether safety protocols were adequately followed during the redevelopment process.
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