Coromandel Express Derails near Bahanaga Station in Balasore, Odisha
On Friday evening, a major train accident occurred near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district of Odisha, when the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express derailed and collided with a goods train standing on the loop line. Several passengers are feared dead and hundreds may be trapped under the overturned bogies of the express train. Here is what we know so far about the incident and its aftermath.
The Cause of the Accident
The exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, but preliminary reports suggest that the Coromandel Express was moving on the mainline at a high speed when it derailed due to some technical fault or human error. The derailed train then hit the goods train, which was carrying coal, on the adjacent track. The impact was so severe that six bogies of the express train and two wagons of the goods train were completely damaged.
The Rescue Operations
As soon as the accident was reported, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), the fire service personnel, the railway police and the local administration rushed to the spot to carry out search and rescue operations. They faced difficulties due to lack of light and heavy rain at the accident site. They used gas cutters, cranes and other equipment to remove the debris and extricate the trapped passengers. Five ambulances were also sent from Bhadrakh district to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
The Casualties and Injuries
The official figures of casualties and injuries are yet to be confirmed, but according to some sources, at least 10 people have died and more than 50 have been injured in the accident. Some of the injured are said to be in critical condition. The identities of the deceased and injured are being verified by the authorities. The Southern Railway has issued an emergency helpline number: 6782262286 for relatives and friends of passengers to get information about their whereabouts.
The Reaction and Compensation
The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his deep shock and grief over the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each for those seriously injured. He also directed senior officials to supervise and support the rescue operations and provide all necessary assistance to the victims. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed his condolences and assured that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident and strict action will be taken against those responsible. He also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of those killed, Rs 1 lakh each for those with serious injuries, and Rs 50,000 each for those with minor injuries.
#WATCH | Coromandel Express derails near Bahanaga station in Balasore, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/9Lk2qauW9v
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023
The Impact on Rail Traffic
The accident has disrupted rail traffic on the busy Howrah-Chennai route, as several trains have been canceled, diverted, or short-terminated due to blockage of tracks. The railway authorities are working to restore normalcy as soon as possible by clearing the tracks and repairing the damaged infrastructure. They have also advised passengers to check the status of their trains before traveling.
Conclusion
The Coromandel Express derailment is one of the worst train accidents in recent times in India, which has raised serious questions about the safety and maintenance of railway tracks and trains. The authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and fix accountability for any negligence or lapses that led to this tragedy. They must also ensure that adequate compensation and medical care are provided to the victims and their families. The railway system must be upgraded and modernized to prevent such accidents in the future and ensure safe and comfortable travel for millions of passengers.
