A devastating train collision near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal on June 17, has left nine people dead and dozens injured. The crash, caused by a combination of a signalling fault and human error, is the worst train accident in India since the Balasore crash in June last year, which claimed 296 lives. Railway officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
The collision occurred at 8:55 AM when a freight train rammed into the back of the Kanchanjunga Express just before Rangapani town, about 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station. The nine people killed include the driver of the goods train, the guard, and seven passengers of the Kanchanjunga Express, which was carrying 1,300 passengers from Sabroom in Tripura to Kolkata in West Bengal. Forty-one people were injured, nine critically.
According to initial reports, the automatic signalling system between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat junctions had been malfunctioning since 5:50 AM. As a result, the New Jalpaiguri station master issued a “T/A912” cautionary note to all drivers passing through the section, allowing them to pass red signals under strict conditions, including maintaining speeds below 10 km/h in poor visibility and stopping for a minute at each signal during the day.
However, the goods train was traveling at a speed much higher than the permissible limit, leading to the collision. The Kanchanjunga Express was likely adhering to the speed restrictions, said officials.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the accident site at 4 PM and stated, “The actual cause of the accident will be clear after the CRS report.” He emphasized that safety is a priority and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha confirmed that human error might have played a significant role in the crash.
Sabyasachi De, spokesperson for Northeast Frontier Railway, said that five wagons of the cargo train carrying containers derailed, along with the guard’s coach, two parcel vans, and one passenger coach of the Kanchanjunga Express.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has launched a probe into the accident. Internal documents revealed that the freight train driver did not adhere to the speed limits and safety protocols mandated under the T/A912 authorization. Previous trains passing through the affected section, like the Avadh Assam Express and the New Jalpaiguri-Malda Town Intercity Express, followed the existing protocols, avoiding similar incidents.
Rescue operations concluded by late afternoon, and efforts to restore rail services are ongoing. The North Bengal Medical College and Hospital is treating the injured passengers. The government has announced compensation: Rs 10 lakh for families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for the grievously injured, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. “The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation,” he posted on X.
The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2024
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Railway Ministry for neglecting passenger safety and failing to implement effective anti-collision systems. She accused the railways of focusing more on fare hikes than on improving safety measures. “The railways have become totally parentless. Though the ministry is there, the old glory is missing. Only beautification is being done, but they do not care about passenger amenities. They are only keen on hiking fares,” she said.
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