Train services on the busy Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line were severely disrupted on Sunday afternoon, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded at various stations. According to Eastern Railway sources, a sudden ‘Power Off’ in the Overheard Equipment (OHE) led to the suspension of train movements for nearly an hour and a half. The technical fault affected both Up and Down lines, bringing the entire section to a standstill.

The disruption caused significant inconvenience as crowds began to swell at major stations. At Hooghly station, the situation escalated to the point where authorities had to temporarily suspend ticket counters since no trains were moving. Passengers, many of whom were traveling for weekend outings or essential work, expressed frustration over the lack of immediate information and the mounting delay.

Railway technical teams were rushed to the spot and worked on a war footing to restore the power supply. Services gradually resumed after approximately 90 minutes once the OHE issue was resolved. However, the ripple effect of the delay was felt throughout the day, with several local and express trains running significantly behind schedule. The railway department has initiated an internal inquiry to identify the root cause of the power failure to prevent such recurrences on this high-traffic route.