In a tragic accident, 19 passengers were injured when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express (Train No. 12578) collided with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai Railway Station near Chennai on Friday night. The collision, which occurred around 8:30 PM, led to the derailment of 12 coaches, severely disrupting train services in the region.
Incident Details & Cause
The accident took place on the Chennai-Gudur section between Ponneri and Kavaraipettai stations. Initial reports indicate that despite receiving the green signal to pass through the mainline, the express train mistakenly switched to a loop line, colliding with the parked goods train. The train was traveling at a speed of 75 km/h when the collision occurred, causing a massive jerk felt by the passengers. A parcel van caught fire but was quickly extinguished.
RN Singh, General Manager of Southern Railways, confirmed that the incident is under investigation to determine the precise cause. However, he noted that the train was not meant to stop at Kavaraipettai, and the crew was following proper signals. The mishap is believed to be due to a technical error or signaling issue.
Watch aftermath video collision
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the accident. All injured passengers, none of whom sustained life-threatening injuries, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. A total of 19 people were reported injured, with four of them suffering more severe injuries. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Rescue teams, including railway officials and medical personnel, swiftly evacuated the 1,360 passengers aboard the train. The local community also played a critical role in assisting with the rescue operations. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin personally monitored the situation, ensuring that all injured passengers received immediate care.
Disruption to Rail Services
The accident caused significant disruptions in train movements, with two trains—Train No.12077 Dr MGR Chennai Central-Vijayawada Jan Shatabdi Express and Train No.12078 Vijayawada-Chennai Central Jan Shatabdi Express—being canceled. More than half a dozen other trains were diverted to alternate routes.
Railway authorities arranged a special train for stranded passengers, which departed from Dr MGR Chennai Central Railway Station early on Saturday morning. Passengers were provided with food and water during the delay, and a help desk was set up at Chennai Central to assist those affected.
🚨 BREAKING: Accident of Mysuru–Darbhanga Bagmati Express Train No.12578 at Kavaraipettai in Chennai Division on 11th October 2024, trains cancelled on 12th Oct 2024.
— In Bulletin (@inbulletinnews) October 12, 2024
➡️ https://t.co/yltAwWwUTs#TrainAccident #BagmatiExpress #Chennai #Railways #AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/7eu4QyJNnO
Response from Officials
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw monitored the situation and directed officials to expedite the restoration of train services. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his condolences and ordered the Minister for Minorities SM Nasar to oversee the relief efforts on-site. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited injured passengers at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital and urged the central government to take action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Former Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also expressed concern over the incident and called for swift rescue operations. He emphasized the need for the Railways to ensure better safety measures to avoid future accidents.
High-Level Enquiry Ordered
In light of the accident, a high-level enquiry has been initiated by the Indian Railways to investigate the cause of the collision. Restoration work is currently underway, although heavy rains in the region have hampered the pace of recovery. Officials estimate it will take around 16 hours to restore full service on the affected route.
Helpline Numbers for Assistance
The Railways have issued emergency helpline numbers for passengers and their families:
- Chennai Division: 044-25354151, 044-24354995
- Samastipur: 8102918840
- Darbhanga: 8210335395
- Danapur: 9031069105
- DDU Junction: 7525039558
As the investigation progresses, authorities are focused on ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. The accident, reminiscent of the 2023 Balasore train crash, has once again raised concerns about railway safety in India. While no lives were lost in this incident, the government and railway officials are under pressure to implement stricter safety protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future. And some ask for Railway minister's resignation.
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