Hot axle delays Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat by over six hours

A hot axle held up the KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Junction Vande Bharat Express on Sunday, leaving Kerala-bound passengers waiting at KSR Bengaluru and KR Pura stations for more than six hours.

The train, fully booked ahead of Onam, had been scheduled to leave at 5.10am. Passengers were told around 5.30am that it would depart at 8.45am, but that estimate was later moved to 11.10am. The service finally left KSR Bengaluru at 11.45am.

A hot axle is an overheating axle, which can result from friction, poor lubrication, mechanical failure or dragging brakes. If not addressed, it can cause bearing seizure, breakdowns, derailments or structural fires.

Railway staff served meals meant for the journey on the platform during the wait. Nayana NR, who was travelling from KR Pura, said the station was crowded and lacked adequate waiting rooms and restaurants. She said several passengers were waiting with children.

The delay affected travellers heading to Kerala during the Onam rush.