Bhubaneswar: A major railway accident was narrowly averted on Thursday morning when two trains unexpectedly came face-to-face on the same track near Jharpada in Bhubaneswar.

According to reports, one train was travelling towards Cuttack on the down line after departing from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, while another train was moving from the opposite direction on the same track. The two trains encountered each other near the Jharpada bridge between Bhubaneswar and Vani Vihar railway stations.

The trains were moving at low speed, which helped prevent any damage or casualties. The alertness and prompt action of the loco pilots played a crucial role in averting what could have been a catastrophic head-on collision.

"An incident at Bhubaneswar during a shunting operation involving a train with an empty rake that was being moved for scheduled maintenance activities. During the slow-speed shunting movement, the empty rake came into close proximity with another stationary empty rake. Both rakes were empty at the time of the incident," the Railways said in a statement.

"No casualty, injury or disruption to train services has been reported. Railway officials and technical staff promptly attended the site and took necessary measures to secure the rolling stock and assess the situation. Train operations on the main line and passenger services remain unaffected," the statement added.