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PremiumAt least four people were killed and 20 others injured on Thursday after multiple coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. A 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances are at the spot and more medical teams and ambulances are being rushed there as rescue operations continue.
“Train number 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express that left on Wednesday night from Chandigarh derailed near Gonda Junction station between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations at around 2:37 pm on Thursday under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway," confirmed Sabyasachi De — the Chief Public Relations Officer for Northeast Frontier Railway.
“So far, nine injured people have come to our hospital... Three patients are seriously injured and have been referred to Lucknow for further treatment. Six people admitted here are stable and safe and are being given full treatment," said the Medical Superintendent of SMC Gonda.
One more passenger died later in the evening while being taken to Lucknow for medical treatment, UP Relief Commissioner G S Naveen said. The Railways too had reported two deaths.
The dead were identified as Saroj Kumar Singh (31), a resident of Araria in Bihar, and Rahul (38) from Chandigarh.
Thirty of the injured were being treated at two community health centres and three at the district hospital. Apart from Rahul, another passenger was sent to Lucknow.
Officials said that two people have been killed while 34 others were injured. The list of casualties had fluctuated several times as rescue operations continued on Thursday.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI that four people were killed, with district magistrate Neha Sharma too giving out the same number to the media. But about five hours after the 2.35 pm accident, the authorities revised the figures with Sharma saying there was one death.
“Sad to know of yet another tragic rail accident today, at Gonda, UP! Another derailment of train, this time of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express! What are the railway authorities doing!! What is the Government of India doing! Safety and security of passengers are paramount!! When will the Government come to their senses?!" she asked.
“This is a matter of investigation. Many train-related incidents have happened. Train accidents are happening continuously, people are losing their lives…If anyone is the biggest culprit, then it is the Railway Minister. The Railway Minister should resign…The families of the deceased should be given a compensation of at least ₹50-50 lakh," said Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai.
Four people were killed and 20 injured when eight coaches of the Assam-bound 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh around 2:35 pm. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma however said that no casualties from his state have so far been reported.
“Another train derailment. This time the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express! Indian Railways, which is the primary mode of travel for crores of common people is no more safe!. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the blue-eyed boy of PM Modi, is costing us lives!" said Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev.
“Another derailment in UP. Shame @AshwiniVaishnaw - Indian Railways in Emergency room after 10 years of Jumla Sarkar. Kavach anti-collision should be installed immediately on all routes in India. Total cost of only ₹63,000 crores vs ₹1,08,000 crores for Mum Ahmd bullet train," added Mahua Moitra.
"Two coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train have derailed. Two people have lost their lives and around 26 people are injured... DM, SP and other officials are present at the spot. Ambulances, three teams of SDRF and two NDRF teams have been deployed... Helpline numbers have been issued. Rahat Helpline 1070 is activated 24x7... The rescue operation is towards completion as all the coaches have been explored by the SDRF teams," said Lucknow Project Director Relief Commissioner Aditi Umrao.
The Ministry of Railways said that an ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs has been announced for the family of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakhs for grievous injury and Rs. 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
The Railway Ministry said that a high-level enquiry has been ordered alongside the CRS enquiry.
According to an NDTV update, the driver of the derailed passenger train claims to have heard a loud noise before the accident.
“Failure of automatic signal, lapses at multiple levels in managing operations and non-availability of critical safety equipment such as walkie-talkie with the loco pilot and train manager are some of the reasons cited for collision in the probe report. PM Narendra Modi and his Railway Minister, who leaves no opportunity for self-publicity, must take direct responsibility of the massive lapses that have plagued the Indian Railways," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
“The train got derailed between Motiganj and Dhilai…7 people were injured out of which 6 people suffered minor injuries, and 2 people died…Our priority is to complete the rescue operation at the earliest so that trains start plying on the route again... A helpline number has been established. A special train will be run for the passengers of this train to take them to their destination... The railway team has reached the spot to work on the restoration of the railway track," said Pankaj Singh — the CPRO for North Eastern Railway.
"Dr Himanta Biswa has been briefed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh - Chandigarh express in Uttar Pradesh. HCM is monitoring the situation, and the Government of Assam is in touch with relevant authorities," said an official release by the Assam Chief Minister's office.
“Two people have lost their lives in the incident till now. Around six people are seriously injured and they have been shifted to the hospital. Few others have minor injuries and they are being given first aid in the nearby CHC... The coaches have been checked twice, no more people are trapped there," assured Gonda SP Vineet Jaiswal.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI four people have been killed in the accident. Meanwhile state Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar has confirmed that 20 people were injured by the derailment.
