At least eight persons were killed and around 60 others were injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday. The last three coaches of the express train were derailed in the accident that killed the loco-pilot and the motorman of the goods train.
Different teams attached to the state government and the Indian Railways started rescue operations at the site between New Jalpaiguri and Rangapani station.
To make things more difficult, the rescue operations are being impacted by rain in the region. The rescue teams are adopting the manual process of bringing the affected compartments back into position to locate more trapped passengers.
At least 10 trains have been diverted on the route.
Ex-Gratia Announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the Railways officials and taken stock of the situation. He has also asked the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to reach the site.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “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 Ashwini Vaishnaw is on the way to the site of the mishap as well.”
PM Modi also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased.
“The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s office said.
Later, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said an enhanced ex gratia compensation will be provided to the victims.
“Rs 10 Lakh in case of death, Rs 2.5 Lakh towards grievous and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries” will be given, Vaishnaw said.
Helpline Numbers Issued
Rescue operations are underway at the spot, about seven km from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, and the injured persons were being shifted to nearby hospitals.
Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu said helpline numbers have been issued for kin of passengers travelling in the Kanchanjunga Express.
“Helpline no. Lumding station– 03674263958, 03674263831, 03674263120, 03674263126, 03674263858; Helpline No. Guwahati Station– 03612731621, 03612731622, 03612731623; Helpline No. Katihar– 09002041952, 9771441956,” he said in a tweet.
The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express was bound for Sealdah from Agartala and the accident occurred around 9 am.
According to Railway Board Chairman and CEO Jaya Varma Sinha, the driver and assistant driver of the goods train and guard of the Kanchenjunga Express train have died in the incident.
“Rescue operation completed. The driver (Loco pilot) who disregarded the signal has died and also the guard of Kanchenjunga Express has lost his life. Help desks were established at all railway stations along the Agartala- Sealdah route,” she said.
Mamata, Vaishnav Rush To Accident Site
Soon after receiving the news of the accident, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said senior administrative staff, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams had been rushed to the site for rescue.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said, “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.”
Banerjee herself is leaving for the accident site from Kolkata shortly.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is also going to Darjeeling to visit the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site.
Vaishnaw said senior officials have already reached the accident site and a rescue operation is underway.
“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,” he said in a post on X.
Condolences Pour In
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday condoled the loss of lives in a train accident in West Bengal and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“The news of the loss of lives due to a train accident in Darjeeling, West Bengal is deeply distressing. 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,” Murmu said in a post on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the incident and said, “Distressed by the train accident near New Jalpaigudi in West Bengal. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Expressing condolence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The railway accident in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is very sad. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Opposition Demands Accountability
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also expressed grief over the incident and asked her party workers to cooperate in every possible way in the relief and rescue work.
“The news of the death of many passengers in the train accident in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal is sad. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The safety and travel of passengers in Indian Railways is now becoming a matter of concern. I appeal to the Congress workers to cooperate in every possible way in the relief and rescue work,” she said in a post on X.
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge also said he is extremely distressed by the Kanchanjunga Express train collision accident in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, where many people have lost their lives and several have been injured.
“The scenes of the accident are painful. Our heart goes out to the families of the victims. In this hour of grief, we express our solidarity and condolences to each one of them. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Immediate and full compensation must be provided to the victims,” he said in a post on X.
“In the past 10 years, Modi Govt has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry. As a responsible Opposition, it is our bounden duty to underline how the Modi Govt has systematically converted the Rail Ministry into a platform of ‘Camera-driven’ self-promotion ! Today’s tragedy is yet another reminder of this stark reality. Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi Govt accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways,” he added.
Without naming anyone, former Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav also asked, “Who is responsible for the continuous railway accidents in the country?”
Speaking on the issue, CPI leader D Raja also expresses its sympathies to the affected people and said, “Railway Ministry has to address certain larger issues. This is not going to be the last. Train accidents are taking place. How we take care of the security of railway tracks, the strength of tracks and signalling system, whether we have adequate manpower or not, there are several questions. Earlier, railway used to have a separate budget. The BJP merged it with general budget. Railway is the largest transport system in country. People prefer train journeys. We need to address many issues on priority. The Railway Minister must give priority to track and signal maintenance. They should extend all possible help for rehabilitation.”
TMC Demands Railway Minister’s Resignation
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has demanded Railway Minister Vaishnaw’s resignation after the accident.
“ASHWINI VAISHNAW MUST RESIGN!! Separate Rail Budget was abolished by Modi’s BJP in 2016 and with that Accountability for any Rail Disaster was diluted… Year after year, one Rail Accident after another, with many dead and more injured, yet no accountability.., The incompetent Ashwini Vaishnaw continues as Rail Minister, and Modi, shamelessly parades Vande Bharat over the dead bodies of innocents recovered from mangled coaches,” TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the unaffected portion of Kanchanjunga Express has left the site towards Malda Town. The passengers have been provided with food and water and restoration work of the site is in progress.
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