Two Goods Trains Collide at Onda Railway Station in Bankura, Disrupt Rail Operations
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, a major rail accident occurred at Onda railway station in the Bankura district of West Bengal, India. Two goods trains collided with each other, causing the derailment of 12 wagons and damage to the locomotives. The rail operation on the Kharagpur–Bankura–Adra line of the South Eastern Railway (SER) was halted for several hours due to the incident. No injuries or casualties were reported, according to officials of the SER.
What happened in Onda Railway Station, Bankura?
According to sources, the accident happened around 4 am when one of the goods trains hit the other from behind at Onda station. The impact was so severe that 12 wagons of the goods trains derailed and some of them overturned. The locomotives of both trains also suffered damage. The reason for the collision and how both trains ended up on the same track is yet to be ascertained by an investigation.
The accident site was immediately cordoned off by the railway authorities and rescue teams were rushed to the spot. The railway officials said that they were trying to clear the debris and restore the track as soon as possible. They also said that they were assessing the cause and extent of the damage caused by the mishap.
What was the impact of the Onda Railway Station Train Collision?
The collision disrupted the rail operation on the Kharagpur–Bankura–Adra line, which is a vital link between West Bengal and Jharkhand. Several passenger and freight trains were canceled, diverted, or short-terminated due to the incident. According to a statement issued by the SER, 14 trains were canceled, three were diverted and two were short-terminated on Sunday.
Some of the canceled trains were:
- 12828 Purulia Junction-Howrah
- 13506 Asansol-Digha
- 08686 Adra-Kharagpur
- 08675 Bishnupur-Adra
- 08677 Bishnupur-Dhanbad Junction
- 18027 Kharagpur-Asansol
- 12883 Santragachi Junction-Purulia Junction
- 18035 Kharagpur-Hatia
- 18024 Garh Madhupur-Kharagpur
- 08657 Adra-Asansol
- 08173 Asansol-Tata
- 18013 Howrah – Bokaro Steel City
- 18036 Hatia-Kharagpur
- 08695/08696 Bokaro Steel City-Ranchi Junction-Bokaro Steel City
Some of the diverted trains were:
- 12827 Howrah-Purulia Junction via Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Chandil-Purulia
- 12834 Howrah-Ahmedabad via Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Chandil-Purulia-Bhojudih-Gomoh-Dhanbad-Gaya-Mughalsarai
- 22861 Shalimar-Adra via Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Chandil-Purulia
Some of the short-terminated trains were:
- 22862 Adra-Shalimar at Purulia Junction
- 22860 Chennai Central-Purulia Junction at Midnapore
The SER officials said that they had restored the rail operation on the Adra-Midnapore section by 8.35 am and on the Onda-Bankura section by 11.30 am on Sunday. They also said that they had arranged buses for stranded passengers at various stations.
What is the significance?
The accident at Onda railway station is one of the worst rail mishaps in West Bengal in recent times. It has raised serious questions about the safety and maintenance of railway tracks and signals in India. It has also exposed the vulnerability of rail operations to human error and technical glitches.
The accident has also highlighted the importance of the Kharagpur–Bankura–Adra line for connecting West Bengal with Jharkhand and other states. The line is used for transporting coal, iron ore, steel and other commodities from eastern India to western and southern India. It is also used for carrying passengers from various cities and towns in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The disruption caused by the accident has affected not only the rail users but also the industries and businesses that depend on the rail network for their supply and demand. The accident has also caused inconvenience and hardship to thousands of passengers who had to cancel or reschedule their travel plans.
What is the way forward?
The accident at Onda railway station has once again underscored the need for improving the safety and efficiency of rail operations in India. The railway authorities should conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the cause and circumstances of the collision and take appropriate action against those responsible for it. They should also ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
The railway authorities should also take steps to upgrade and modernize the railway infrastructure and equipment, especially the tracks, signals, bridges, and locomotives. They should also implement advanced technologies such as automatic train protection, train collision avoidance system, train management system, and real-time train monitoring system to prevent accidents and enhance operational performance.
The railway authorities should also focus on improving the quality and reliability of rail services, especially for passengers. They should ensure timely and adequate availability of trains, coaches, seats, berths, food, water, sanitation, and other amenities. They should also provide prompt and accurate information to passengers about train schedules, delays, cancellations, diversions, and alternatives.
The railway authorities should also work in coordination with other stakeholders such as the state governments, local administrations, police, fire brigade, medical teams, and civil society organizations to ensure effective disaster management and emergency response in case of any rail accident. They should also provide adequate compensation and assistance to the victims and their families.
The railway authorities should also solicit feedback and suggestions from rail users and experts on how to improve rail operations and services. They should also adopt best practices and learn from the experiences of other countries that have successfully implemented safe and efficient rail systems.
The railway accident at Onda railway station is a wake-up call for the Indian Railways to improve its safety and service standards. It is also an opportunity for the Indian Railways to transform itself into a world-class transport system that can meet the growing needs and expectations of the people of India.
