In connection with the Kanchanjunga Express tragedy, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northeast Frontier Railway, Janak Kumar Garg, will hold a statutory inquiry on June 19. The accident claimed eight lives and left 25 injured.
From 10 am onwards, the inquiry will be held at the ADRM/NJP’s chamber and may also be extended if required, according to a press release.
“Members of the public having knowledge relating to the incident and any other matter connected therewith may appear and tender evidence at the inquiry on the dates mentioned or write to the chief commissioner of railway safety,” the official communication read.
Following the accident on June 17, several trains were canceled while others were diverted on Tuesday.
Kanchanjungha Express runs between Silchar (Assam) and Sealdah (Kolkata). It was Sealdah bound when a goods train hit it from behind. The misshape happened near Rangapani station.
Rescue operations were being carried out on a war footing, said Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
“Unfortunate accident in NFR zone. Rescue operations going on at war footing. Railways, NDRF, and SDRF are working in close coordination. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. Senior officials have reached the site,” Vaishnaw had posted on X.
At Rangapani station, Sealdah Eastern Railway had set up a control desk. As a result of the accident, a wagon of the Kanchenjunga Express train was suspended in the air.
(With inputs from agencies)