Odisha Passengers Had AC Tickets In Hand, But Entire Train Coach Was Missing— Wait, What Happened Next?

Last Updated:February 03, 2026, 08:09 IST

The incident unfolded when Sambalpur-Nanded Nagavali Superfast Express, which was travelling from Bhubaneswar towards Nanded, reached Sambalpur, around 320 km west of Bhubaneswar.

57 passengers had confirmed tickets for the 3AC coach BE2. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

The early hours of February 1 turned stressful for dozens of passengers at Sambalpur railway station in Odisha when their train journey took an unexpected turn. Travellers holding confirmed tickets for a reserved coach on the Sambalpur–Nanded Nagavali Superfast Express were forced to scan the entire length of the train, unsure of what had gone wrong.

According to reports, the incident unfolded when Train No. 20809, which was travelling from Bhubaneswar towards Nanded, reached Sambalpur, around 320 km west of Bhubaneswar. Some of the passengers waiting specifically for their allotted 3AC coach soon realised that their coach was missing.

AC Coach Goes Missing On Sambalpur-Nanded Nagavali Superfast Express

57 passengers with confirmed tickets for the 3AC coach BE2 reached the station early to avoid missing their train. As the Nagavali Superfast Express arrived, they walked from one end of the train to the other to search for their coach. It soon became clear that the train had departed Sambalpur without the reserved BE2 coach attached. The realisation triggered panic as many travellers were unsure whether to board the train or stay back.

Confusion And Panic Soon Took Over

After discovering the missing coach, passengers approached the travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) for help. According to Navbharat Times, quoting travellers, they were asked to occupy seats in other coaches, but without a clear explanation of what had gone wrong. Many alleged that despite having valid reserved tickets, they had to adjust to cramped conditions with other passengers. There were protests by many, but eventually 30 passengers boarded whichever coach they could find.

What Railway Officials Said

East Coast Railway officials later acknowledged the issue and explained that the reserved coach could not be attached due to a technical problem before departure. Railway staff and TTEs worked on board to place affected passengers in vacant berths across other coaches so that the train could continue its journey without further delay.

“Due to a technical issue, one reserved coach (BE2) could not be attached to Train No 20809. Affected passengers were accommodated in available vacant berths in other coaches by the on-board TTE," East Coast Railway (ECoR) said in a statement as quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI).

How The Issue Was Addressed Later On The Route

Railway officials later made arrangements to attach an additional coach at Visakhapatnam Junction along the route, Kalinga TV reported. The move was intended to accommodate all affected passengers, with officials stating that safety and passenger comfort were prioritised.

News auto Odisha Passengers Had AC Tickets In Hand, But Entire Train Coach Was Missing— Wait, What Happened Next?

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