Maligaon, June 17: Train no. 13174 Down Agartala-SealdahKanchanjungha Express on 17th June, 2024faced a rear end collision by a Goods train carrying containers between Rangapani and Chatterhatsection under the Katihar division of N.F. Railway at around 08:55 hrs. The location is about 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station.
On receiving the information, Accident Relief Medical team along with Men and machinery immediatelyreached the accident site within short span of time to rescue and aid the injured passengers.
Railway Minister ShriAshwiniVaishnaw and General Manager of NFR ShriChetan Kr. Shrivastava with other senior officialsimmediately rushed to reach the accident site. On arriving Siliguri, Railway Minister immediately rushed to the hospital to meet the injured patients. He personally interacted with the injured ones and also visited the accident site to take stock of the rescue and restoration operation.
As a result of the accident, 4 coaches from rear side of the Kanchanjungha Express and 5 wagons of the container carrying train got derailed blocking the train movements of both Up and Down lines. However, debris onthe Up Line was clearedat 17:40 hrs. Work for speedy restoration of the Down Line is also in progress.
About 9 people died, 7 passengers and 2 railway staffs, 9 people were grievously injured and nearly 32 people were left with minor/normal injuries as a result of the accident. All the injured persons are being provided adequate medical help.
The unaffected portion of the Kanchanjunga Express has left from the accident site at 12:00 for its onward journey. Passenger rescue operation was completed. Adequate food packets and drinking water bottles were provided by the railway side to the stranded passengers.
Help-Line numbers were made operational at all important stations. Indian Railways has already announced ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased, Rs. 2, 50,000/- for who sustained grievous injury and Rs. 50,000/- to each who sustained minor injury.
