In the wake of a tragic train derailment in Jharkhand, the Railways on Tuesday (July 30) announced an ex-gratia payment to support the victims’ families and those injured. “Railways announces Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for kin of each killed, Rs 5 lakh for those with major injuries in Jharkhand train accident,” said an official.
The derailment, which occurred early this morning at around 3:45 AM near Barabamboo in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, involved at least 18 coaches of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail. According to official reports, two individuals lost their lives and approximately 20 others sustained injuries in the incident.
2 killed, 20 injured
The accident site is located near the border between the West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts. “Two persons were killed and 20 injured as 18 coaches of Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed near Barabamboo,” West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary informed. “Howrah-Mumbai train hit the stationary goods train,” he added.
18 out of the 22 coaches derailed
The SER spokesperson reported that at least 18 out of the 22 coaches of the 12810 Howrah-Mumbai Mail via Nagpur derailed near Barabamboo station in the Chakradharpur Division. Among the derailed coaches were 16 passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has instructed officials to expedite relief operations and assist the injured. A senior SER official added that the injured passengers received initial medical aid at Barabamboo before being transported to Chakradharpur for further treatment.
Rescue and relief operations completed
According to the railway CPRO, the rescue and relief operations have been completed.
“Eighty per cent passengers have already been sent to Chakradharpur railway station. Remaining 20 per cent are being sent through a special train. The passengers will be sent to their destination by a special train from Chakradharpur,” the CPRO added.
Several trains cancelled, short-terminated or diverted
Due to the accident, SER has cancelled several express and passenger trains, including the 22861 Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabanji Express, 08015/18019 Kharagpur-Jhargram-Dhanbad Express, 12021/12022 Howrah-Barbil-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express, 18109 Tatanagar-Itwari Express, and 18030 Shalimar-LTT Express.
Additionally, some trains will be either short-terminated or diverted: the 18114 Bilaspur-Tatanagar Express will terminate at Rourkela, the 18190 Ernakulam-Tatanagar Express at Chakradharpur, the 18011 Howrah-Chakradharpur Express at Adra, and the 18110 Itwari-Tatanagar Express at Bilaspur, according to the official.
Railway issues helpline numbers for passengers
The South Eastern Railway has opened helpline numbers for passengers. The numbers are 022-22694040 for Mumbai, 08799982712 for Bhusawal, 7757912790 for Nagpur, 0657-2290324 for Tata, 06587-238072 for Chakradharpur, 0661-2501072 and 0661-2500244 for Rourkela and 06645-272530 for Jharsuguda.
Helpline numbers for Howrah are 9433357920 and 033-26382217, Shalimar (7595074427 and 6295531471) and Kharagpur (03222-293764), the SER said.
