Train services were disrupted on the railway track in Bihar after overhead electrical (OHE) wires were allegedly cut off and stolen by unidentified miscreants, halting the passage of many passenger and express trains in the busy Gaya-Patna line after which some railway officials said the railway traffic is affected.
The damage to the overhead equipment interrupted the power supply for electric locomotives causing train delays and changes in operation in the section. Maintenance teams were immediately sent to the site to investigate the damage and to restore the damaged infrastructure at the earliest.
The Gaya-Patna rail corridor is one of the busiest routes in the East Central Railway network connecting big cities in Bihar and serving thousands of passengers each day. Any disruption on this route will have a ripple effect on train services and both long-distance and local services.
The officials said preliminary information revealed that people may have deliberately cut the overhead electrical wire, possibly to steal copper or other valuable components used in the railway electrification system. But they said the exact motive and sequence of events will only be confirmed after the investigation is finished.
As soon as the disruption was observed the railway engineers and technical staff arrived at the site with specialist equipment to replace the damaged wire and assess nearby electrical installations for further impact. Safety checks were also conducted before train services resumed to check that the electrification system was running normally.
During the repair period, trains were either held at other stations nearby, regulated at midpoint stations or taken to other railways or diverted where operationally feasible. The trains were delayed a few minutes or even many hours in transit from a few minutes to an hour depending on the train and its route.
The railway authorities advised people to check the status of train running before starting their journey.
Because of their resale value in illegal scrap markets, copper cables and electrical equipment used in overhead electrification systems are often targeted. Such thefts also result in financial losses for the Railways as well as safety risks and inconvenience for passengers.
Railway authorities have opened an investigation to identify those responsible. The RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) have registered a case and are examining evidence from the site. CCTV images from nearby stations, railway crossings and adjacent areas to locate the suspects are also collected from the scene.
Police patrols on vulnerable rail sections are likely to be intensified, officials said, especially during nighttime when these incidents are more likely to occur. The Railways has also been beefed up surveillance, with CCTV cameras, drone monitoring in the outskirts of some areas and increased cooperation with local law enforcement agencies to prevent theft of railway assets.
Experts say damage to overhead electrical equipment can have serious operational consequences. Electric trains depend entirely on the overhead catenary system and even small incidents can cause traffic to halt until repairs are completed. Any unauthorized tampering with railway electrical infrastructure also presents serious safety hazards to railway staff and the public.
Passengers who experienced the disruption expressed frustration but appreciated the efforts of railway employees to restore services as soon as possible. Railway officials apologized for the inconvenience and reassured commuters that all efforts were being made to normalize train operations.
The Railways has repeatedly appealed to the public to report suspicious activity near railway tracks or electrical installations. The authorities believe community participation can play an important role in preventing theft and protecting critical public infrastructure.
पहले पुल-पुलिया, फिर मोबाइल टावर… और अब रेलवे का हाई-टेंशन तार। बिहार के जहानाबाद में चोरों ने 25 हजार वोल्ट की ओवरहेड रेलवे तार काट ली, जिससे करीब 3 घंटे तक रेल परिचालन बाधित रहा। #bihar pic.twitter.com/1vTHxsXI7a
— Mukesh singh (@Mukesh_Journo) July 9, 2026
At the end of the day, the repairs were completed and train services were mostly back to normal. Monitoring would continue over the next several hours to guarantee stable operations and prevent any further disruption, the officials said.
The incident underlines the necessity of protecting railway infrastructure from theft and vandalism. As Indian Railways continues to modernize its network and expand electrification across the country, protecting these assets remains essential to ensure safe, reliable and uninterrupted rail services for millions of passengers.
