India, Feb. 22 -- An express train going to Chennai from New Jalpaiguri station of West Bengal had a narrow escape when the battery box underneath its engine fell off after it collided with a small electric pole jutting out into the track during a track-laying work at Belsabira near Sabira railway station in Odisha's Balasore district on Saturday afternoon.

Officials said 22612 New Jalpaiguri-Chennai express almost derailed as the battery underneath the engine, which provides stand-alone power, fell off under the impact of the accident.

"The battery box of the engine fell off at around 2.42 pm. The train was moving at high speed when the battery of the engine fell off. Thanks to the loco pilot who pressed the emergency brake," said an o...