A tragic incident on the Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express, where a passenger suffered a fatal heart attack and no immediate medical help was available onboard, has stirred significant criticism towards Indian Railways’ preparedness to handle emergencies on premium trains. The passenger, 57-year-old Himadri Bhowmick from Kolkata, fell ill during the journey but despite efforts by fellow passengers and staff, he could not be saved, raising concerns about the absence of medical facilities and trained personnel on such trains.
Medical Emergency and Delayed Response
Himadri Bhowmick was traveling to Bhubaneswar for a business meeting when he suddenly fell unconscious after returning from the washroom. Fellow passenger and colleague Debarati Majumdar described how they struggled to find an oxygen cylinder and that the train staff and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel took some time to reach coach C2 where he was traveling. CPR was administered onboard, but no dedicated medical professional was available to provide critical care.
The train had been delayed by two hours due to overnight maintenance issues caused by heavy rain. The emergency unfolded shortly after departing from Cuttack station. Passengers raised urgent concerns over why the train did not halt at any of the several stations between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, where medical facilities were accessible. Railway officials explained that the train only stops at stations equipped with doctors and ambulances, which Bhubaneswar was.
Aftermath and Questions Raised on Railway Medical Preparedness
The train eventually reached Bhubaneswar at 1:40 pm, where a private ambulance was arranged to rush Bhowmick to the hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared brought dead on arrival. Bhowmick’s relatives were en route to Bhubaneswar, and the body was sent for a post-mortem. Railway sources stated that RPF staff accompanied the family to the hospital and that immediate action was taken to provide medical assistance during the incident. The railways also noted that no doctors are usually assigned to trains and the incident will be reviewed through CCTV footage.
This incident has sparked wider discussions about the lack of onboard medical staff or emergency equipment on high-profile trains like the Vande Bharat Express. Passengers and experts alike are calling for improved medical preparedness and protocols to handle such emergencies effectively and prevent future tragedies.
