The Chennai-bound New Jalpaiguri Central Express was stranded for nearly four hours between Soro and Markona stations in Odisha’s Balasore district on Saturday after its engine struck an unidentified object on the tracks, railway officials said.

According to a bulletin from the South Eastern Railway (SER), the incident occurred at 2:45 PM, rendering the locomotive immobile. Railway authorities quickly assessed the situation and arranged for an alternative engine.

After necessary arrangements, the train resumed its journey at 6:23 PM, ensuring minimal disruption for passengers. No injuries were reported in the incident, and railway officials are investigating the nature of the object that caused the stoppage.

The incident raised concerns about track safety, prompting authorities to take additional precautions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.