Lucknow, July 27: The distance between Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Guntur), by train, is 1660 km. At the most, it takes maximum of 48 hours, or in case of a delay, 60 hours to reach this distance. But a goods wagon, from Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, took more than three years or 42 months to reach its destination in Uttar Pradesh. The why and how of it will not just amaze you but also highlight the height of negligence by the Indian Railways authority.

According to media report, a company named Indian Potash Limited, booked the Wagon 107462, in November 2014. The purpose of booking the wagon was to get a parcel delivered. The parcel contained compost (organic matter that has been decomposed), to a shop in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district, which is roughly 1,400 kms away from Vishakhapatnam.

But what should have taken a few days, took three-and-a-half years. The delay, obviously, was so big that even the compost matter which was to be parceled, got decayed causing a loss of Rs 10 lakh.

The report says that the delay and fate of the parcel as well as the wagon would not have even come to light, had the owner of the parcel not written to the railway authorities. Even after the letter, the Indian Railways could not trace the wagon, while the wagon kept passing from one station to the other, over the years.

The report mentions that the decayed compost is now lying with Railway authorities at Uttar Pradesh's Basti station as the owner, miffed with the delay, has refused to take the parcel. One might have heard of delays, but this one surely has to be at the top of all the train delays so far: a delay of three and a half years! Also, the case of Wagon going missing is incredible, and ludicrous.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2018 05:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).