More than 400 students’ dream of studying medicine got shattered on Sunday when the train, Hampi Express, they boarded to reach the destination got delayed for good 8 hours. The delay in train prevented the candidates from appearing in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Bengaluru.
The train was scheduled to arrive at the destination (Bengaluru) at 6:30 am, however the train reached the city at 2:36 pm, after an eight-hour long delay. Due to the delay, many students who were travelling to appear for the test, gave up their hope to make it for NEET. Some students still rushed to their centres but were stopped outside. The entrance test began at 2:30 pm and the reporting time for candidates was 1:30 pm.
The students said they had no idea about the routine diversion and had not expected such delay. They said they are extremely disappointed with this as they all had prepared very hard for it.
A statement from South Western Railway said the train delay was caused due to a route diversion because of some rail work. It said, however, the passengers were informed about the change in advance through text messages.
The students are dejected and heartbroke with this and the episode has prompted calls from their parents and politicians for a re-examination. Rail officials said they would request the HRD ministry so that a re-test can be conducted for the affected candidates. Hundreds of aspirants in North Karnataka chose Bengaluru as their exam centre and boarded the Hampi Express. The train was scheduled to depart from Hubbali at 6:20pm on Saturday but left at 8:21 pm.
Kamalpreet Singh
Working as a freelance contributor for several news platforms over the years, Kamalpreet has a well-thriving interest in the education sector. Kamalpreet heads at the post of editor at BO Herald and he contributes his knowledge and expertise in reporting Education News.
