Snake found on AC berth in Vasco-da-Gama Express, passengers panic, Railways act swiftly

A live snake was discovered in the AC two-tier coach of the Vasco-da-Gama Weekly Express, which was traveling from Jasidih, Jharkhand, to Goa. Passengers were shocked when the snake was spotted crawling near the curtain of a lower berth, prompting widespread panic among those on board. Several travelers quickly recorded videos of the snake, which circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the safety hazards faced by passengers.

Ankit Kumar Sinha, whose parents were traveling in the affected coach (A2 31 and 33), took to social media to report the incident, urging Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take immediate action. In a post on the platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), Sinha wrote, "A snake was found on a berth in train 17322. This complaint is from my parents, who are traveling in AC two-tier. Please take immediate action. I have attached the video for reference." His plea highlighted not only the immediate danger posed by the snake but also the need for better safety protocols in the railway system.

Fortunately, railway staff responded promptly to the situation. Upon receiving reports of the snake, IRCTC personnel quickly arrived at the scene and managed to capture the snake using a bedsheet. A video shared by Sinha showed the staff working efficiently to address the alarming situation, showcasing their responsiveness to the unexpected crisis. The snake was subsequently removed from the train, alleviating the fears of the passengers.

In the aftermath, Indian Railways acknowledged the complaint and assured passengers that the matter would be thoroughly investigated. The railway service team responded to Sinha’s tweet, stating, "Your complaint has been acknowledged and has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities." The Divisional Railway Manager of Ranchi confirmed that appropriate authorities had been notified for further action, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.

This incident adds to a concerning trend in recent months, as snakes have been reported on trains before. Earlier incidents included sightings on trains traveling from Jabalpur to Mumbai and a King Cobra being rescued from a train in Kathgodam, Uttarakhand. These occurrences raise serious questions about the conditions that allow such reptiles to access train compartments.