A frightening incident unfolded aboard the Vande Bharat Express when a three-year-old girl was accidentally left alone inside the train after her father stepped onto a railway platform to buy biscuits. Officials said the episode occurred during the Solapur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai journey when the train halted at Kurduwadi Railway Station in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. Rahul Khurmute, who was travelling with his family, briefly got out to purchase snacks for his hungry daughter. However, before he could return to the coach, the train’s automatic doors closed and the Vande Bharat Express began moving, leaving him stranded on the platform while the child remained inside.
The little girl, who was seated in coach C-5 on seat number 30, became terrified after noticing that her father had not returned. She started crying continuously, attracting the attention of nearby passengers who quickly realised that she had been left unattended inside the moving train. Concerned travellers immediately informed travelling ticket examiner H.L. Meena about the situation. Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Meena promptly alerted railway authorities and informed the control room. Soon after, the Pune railway control room coordinated with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and railway police to launch immediate efforts to identify the child’s family and ensure that the girl remained safe throughout the journey until assistance could be arranged.
As the train continued its journey towards Pune, a woman passenger stepped forward to comfort the frightened child and kept her calm during the tense situation. Meanwhile, railway officials used the reservation records to establish contact with Rahul Khurmute, who was extremely anxious after being separated from his daughter. Authorities reassured him that the child was safe and instructed him to board another train to Pune. At the same time, officials contacted the girl’s mother, Vaishali Khurmute, and requested her to reach Pune railway station before the Vande Bharat Express arrived. After the train reached Pune, the railway police safely reunited the child with her mother, bringing immense relief to the worried family.
Railway officials later stated that the incident serves as an important reminder about passenger safety during train halts, particularly on Vande Bharat services equipped with automatic doors. Authorities warned that even a brief moment of carelessness can result in dangerous situations, especially when travelling with children. The Railway Administration advised passengers not to step onto platforms during short stoppages unless absolutely necessary, as the doors on Vande Bharat trains lock automatically and cannot be reopened easily once the departure process begins. Officials also praised the alert passengers, railway staff and police personnel whose timely coordination ensured the young girl’s safety and helped prevent the frightening episode from turning into a tragedy.