Darjeeling, West Bengal: In a tragic incident this morning, nine people, including two railway employees, lost their lives, and around fifty others sustained injuries when the Kanchanjunga Express collided with a goods train near Rangapani station in Darjeeling district. The express train, traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata, was hit from behind by the goods train, resulting in the derailment of three coaches.
The collision occurred at approximately 9 am, according to Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha. The rescue operation was swiftly initiated and has now been completed. The injured passengers have been transferred to North Bengal Medical College, where they are receiving medical treatment.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and sorrow over the incident. She stated that doctors, ambulances, and disaster response teams had been rushed to the site to aid in rescue and medical efforts. “Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train. DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,” she posted on X.
The Kanchanjunga Express is a daily train that connects Bengal with the Northeastern cities of Silchar and Agartala, frequently used by tourists traveling to Darjeeling. The route, situated in the Chicken’s Neck corridor, is crucial as it links the Northeast with the rest of the country. The accident on this line is likely to impact the movement of several other trains.
Initial investigations suggest that the goods train overshot the signal, leading to the collision. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to the site for rescue operations. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is on his way to the accident site and has confirmed that rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing. In a post on X, he stated, “Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF and SDRF are working in close coordination. Injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached site.”
The Railways have announced compensation for the victims’ families, offering ₹10 lakh each to the families of those deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for those with grievous injuries, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences, stating, “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and success of relief and rescue operations.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences and assured that rescue operations were being prioritized.
The opposition has criticized the government for the incident. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his distress over the accident and called for immediate and full compensation for the victims. He criticized the Narendra Modi government’s handling of the Railway Ministry, labeling it as “utter mismanagement.”
Railway officials are working to ensure the quick resumption of train services on the affected route. Sabyasachi De, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, stated that no notifications about the diversion or cancellation of other trains have been issued yet and emphasized the urgency in completing the rescue operations.
The Kanchanjunga Express is expected to resume its journey soon, ensuring that passengers can reach their destinations. The Railway Ministry has released helpline numbers for those seeking information about the situation: 033-23508794 and 033-23833326 (Sealdah) and 03612731621, 03612731622, and 03612731623 at Guwahati.
The incident has cast a shadow over the region, especially with many travelers heading to Darjeeling to escape the summer heat of Kolkata and South Bengal. The Sarhind Times extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery for the injured.
For more updates on the Kanchanjunga Express accident and other news, stay tuned to Sarhind Times.
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