1. Goods train collision with Kanchanjunga Express in Siliguri caused nine deaths and multiple injuries.
2. After the incident, several train services were cancelled or diverted.
3. The tragedy disrupted normal railway operations in the affected area.
Siliguri, June 18: A tragic incident unfolded in Bengal’s Siliguri on Monday when a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express from behind, resulting in nine fatalities and numerous injuries.
As a consequence, several train services were either cancelled or rerouted.
Despite the collision, the Kanchanjunga Express managed to reach its destination at Kolkata’s Sealdah station by 3:16 am on Tuesday after undergoing extensive restoration efforts.
The site of the crash still bore the wreckage of the mangled compartments, where ongoing repair work aimed to clear the debris.
Initially, the Railway Board attributed the collision to the goods train’s driver overshooting the signal.
However, subsequent investigations revealed that the automatic signalling system along the affected stretch had malfunctioned since Monday morning.
This failure allowed the goods train to proceed despite red signals, leading to the tragic collision.
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Here are the latest updates on the Kanchanjunga train tragedy:
- Surviving passengers were visibly emotional upon arrival at Sealdah, with Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim seen consoling distraught passengers.
- Train operations resumed in the Phansidewa area of the Darjeeling district, adjacent to the accident site, with trains like the Kamakhya Express passing through unaffected lines.
- Subhendu Kumar Choudhary, Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, confirmed ongoing restoration efforts aimed at normalizing operations swiftly.
Political reactions also surfaced amidst the tragedy:
- Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Centre’s handling of railways, alleging neglect and emphasizing her past efforts in railway safety initiatives.
- BJP’s Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar countered Banerjee’s claims, dismissing them as politically motivated during a sensitive time.
Assistance and support measures were promptly organized:
- Deepak Nigam, Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah, assured that medical teams and ambulances were deployed at Sealdah station to aid Kanchanjunga Express passengers.
- Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairperson of the Railway Board, outlined the extent of the damage to the Kanchanjunga Express but affirmed that no passenger coaches were harmed.
The accident prompted the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to initiate an investigation into its cause, as Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site to assess the situation firsthand. However, the Congress party demanded Vaishnaw’s resignation over perceived ministry mismanagement.
In terms of financial aid, families of the deceased were promised Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (PMNRF), with Rs 50,000 earmarked for the injured.
Additionally, Vaishnaw announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the deceased families, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievously injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
The aftermath of the Kanchanjunga Express tragedy underscores the need for enhanced railway safety protocols and a meticulous review of existing infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
