There were other trains like the A.A. Express (5609) and the Ashram Express (2915), which were running almost one-and-a-half hours behind schedule. Officials at Old Delhi Railway Station brushed aside the delays calling them a daily phenomenon. They attributed it to `chain-pulling' and longer duration of stoppages en route. ``Moreover, we've observed that trains passing through Bihar inevitably get delayed,'' added an official at the station.

Said station master, B.K. Shukla: ``For reasons unknown to us, the Howrah Janta Express arrives late 21 out of 30 days. On our part, we have made sure that the train departs from the station here on schedule.'' M.N. Chopra, Executive Director (coaches), attributed the delay to engines breaking down. ``Today was an unexpectedly heavy day. One locomotive broke down near Mughal Sarai and another goods train engine stopped just beyond Kota. And since this train was followed by a convoy of trains, the delay was inevitable,'' he said. Chopra also cited intense heat as one of the reasons for breakdowns and the delays. And where the delays were because of ``chain-pulling'', Chopra said that people just can't stop pulling chains. ``It is controlled when we put pressure.'' If we just turn for a minute, people are at it again, he said. And why blame only Bihar, delays also take place in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh as well.''