Medinipur, June 30 (HS): Rail services on the Haldia route were disrupted on Tuesday after a major fire broke out following a rupture in a gas pipeline of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) near Udyogpravesh railway station in Purba Medinipur district.

The incident occurred near Chiranjibpur, around 50 metres from Udyogpravesh station near LC Gate No. 56. The blaze damaged railway overhead electric equipment, including overhead wires and a transformer, while a portion of the railway track was also affected.

Railway officials said Haldia-Howrah Local (Train No. 38052) could not depart from Haldia due to the incident.

Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the blaze. According to officials, a few local residents sustained injuries in the incident and were admitted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital.

Railway sources said the fire caused extensive damage to the overhead electrical infrastructure near Udyogpravesh station, forcing the cancellation of Train No. 38052 Haldia-Howrah Local.

The Howrah-Haldia Local (Train No. 38051) will now terminate at Durgachak instead of Haldia and return from there. The Asansol-Haldia Express is also likely to be delayed and may terminate at Durgachak without proceeding to Haldia.

Personnel from the Railway Traction Distribution (TRD) department have reached the site for restoration work. However, repairs could not begin immediately due to the intensity of the fire.

Railway authorities said normal train services on the route would resume only after restoration work is completed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar