Watch: Train stopped for snacks & newspaper causes massive traffic jam at NH7 crossing

A recent viral video showing a train at a railway crossing has taken social media by storm, particularly due to the unusual reason for the stoppage. The video, posted on August 28, 2024, claims that the station master halted the train not for operational reasons but to hand snacks and a newspaper to the locomotive pilot, causing a massive traffic jam on NH7.

In the 22-second clip, viewers can see the train standing stationary at a closed railway crossing, leading to significant vehicular congestion on both sides. The footage shows the station master chatting with the locomotive pilot near the engine, while a lengthy queue of vehicles waits impatiently for the train to move. The crossing gates remain closed, and despite signals being green, the train does not budge, further exacerbating the traffic jam. This scenario was captured by a passerby, who then shared it on social media.



The video was posted on the microblogging site X by a user with the handle @ShivrattanDhil1. The post, which tagged the official IRCTC account, read:

"Can you believe this? On NH7, a train stopped at a railway crossing, causing a massive traffic jam, just so the station master could hand over some snacks and a newspaper to the train driver. Unreal! @IRCTCofficial"

This video has managed to attract over 100,000 views, with a multitude of comments expressing anger, frustration, and bemusement at the incident. One user remarked, "Things like this can only happen in our country," while another joked, "It seems like two friends are meeting after a long time." A third comment on the video described it as "Incredible India."

The situation highlighted in the viral video shows the level of inconvenience experienced by drivers stuck at the crossing. Individuals in jams eagerly awaited the train's passage, baffled at its delay despite favorable signals. The video accentuates their growing impatience and irritation, as they could not fathom why a train stayed motionless for such a trivial reason until it was revealed through the passerby's social media post.

Reactions continued to pour in, with some netizens expressing disbelief over the level of unprofessional conduct displayed by the railway staff. The incident underscores various ongoing concerns about the efficiency and professionalism within the railway's operational framework. The viral video, concretely, underlines the critical need for improvements in how such situations are managed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This episode also stirs a broader discussion about the responsibilities and duties of railway staff. Stopping a train for non-essential reasons raises questions about the standards and policies governing railway operations. The inconvenience caused to the general public and the potential risks involved make such actions highly questionable.

In a country where railway services are crucial for daily commuting and transportation, incidents like these emphasize the importance of operational discipline and adherence to protocols. Such events often spark public outcry and demand for better governance and accountability within public service sectors.

As reactions and discussions continue, the expectation is that the concerned authorities will take note and perhaps issue a response or initiate measures to prevent any such disruptions in the future. Social media, with its wide reach, plays a pivotal role in bringing such matters to the fore, encouraging transparency and prompt corrective actions.