Slab of over bridge collapses on railway tracks; traffic hit

Rail traffic was hit today after a slab of an old railway over bridge collapsed on the railway tracks at Khokhra area here, injuring one person, officials said.
As many as 11 trains were short terminated and around 30 to 35 stationed at various places, they said.
No casualty was reported in the incident, however, one person identified as Sureshbhai was injured.
"As many as 11 trains were short terminated and around 30 to 35 were halted at various places en route Ahemdabad due to the Khokhra bridge collapse incident," PRO, Ahmedabad Division, Western Railway, Pradeep Sharma said.
"The incident occurred today where a concrete structure of footpath of Khokhra railway over bridge collapsed and fell on the railway tracks," Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner D Thara told reporters.

Following the collapse, a fire brigade team was pressed into action to clear the debris, the officer added.

One person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to civil hospital, she said.
Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad Division Rahul Agarwal said the rail traffic from and en route to the city was affected and expected to be restored by 9 PM today.
"We have sought machineries like JCBs and hammers to remove the debris from tracks. Besides, as it is electrified territory and some wires have been damaged, it will be repaired. If the machines arrives on time, rail transportation will be restored at around 9 PM," Agrawal said.

According to the PRO, the railways will provide refund to passengers whose trains were delayed for more than three hours as per the existing norms.