Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Train Accident Highlights: In a devastating incident on Wednesday, at least four coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, resulting in four fatalities and injuring 20 others, according to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
The mishap occurred around 2:35 pm, railway officials confirmed, prompting swift response from emergency services. A 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances were deployed immediately, with additional medical support en route to the accident site, stated Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar.
Indian Railways swiftly initiated relief operations, with medical vans reaching the site promptly. Helpline numbers have been set up to assist those affected: Gonda (8957400965) and Lucknow (8957409292).
The Railway Board has also issued helpline contacts for immediate assistance: Commercial Control (9957555984), Furkating (9957555966), Mariani (6001882410), Simalguri (8789543798), Tinsukia (9957555959), and Dibrugarh (9957555960).
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken note of the incident and directed local authorities to provide all necessary aid to affected passengers, ensuring they receive proper medical attention without delay.
Senior railway and local administration officials are currently overseeing rescue operations at the accident site.
At 20:50 pm, a special train departed from Manakpur Junction carrying 600 passengers.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed shock and concern over the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express accident in Uttar Pradesh today. Immediate emergency response teams are on standby to assist.
“I am shocked to learn about the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train accident in UP today. I am closely monitoring the situation. As of now, there are no casualties reported from Assam. Teams are ready to provide support. We will ensure the safety and well-being of everyone,” said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
North Eastern Railway CPRO Pankaj Singh confirmed that two people have lost their lives and seven others are injured in the incident.
“The train derailed between Motiganj and Dhilai. Seven people were injured, with six suffering minor injuries and two fatalities. Our priority is to complete the rescue operation swiftly to restore train services. A helpline has been set up, and a special train will be arranged for passengers to reach their destinations. Railway teams are working to restore the track,” he stated.
Reacting to the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment, Dr. M. W. Khan, Medical Superintendent (MS) at SMC Gonda, reported on Thursday that nine injured individuals were admitted to the hospital. Among them, three were critically injured and subsequently referred to Lucknow for advanced treatment. Dr. Khan confirmed that the remaining six patients admitted were stable after receiving necessary medical care.
“So far, nine injured people have come to our hospital. Three patients are seriously injured and have been referred to Lucknow for further treatment. Six people admitted here are stable and safe and are receiving comprehensive treatment,” stated Dr. Khan.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries in the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment.
In addition to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inquiry, a high-level investigation has been initiated into the rail derailment accident.
(With ANI inputs)
On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the Central government about passenger safety following the derailment of the Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda. She extended her condolences to the families of the deceased and offered prayers for the injured.
The accident, which occurred at around 2:37 am near Gonda station between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway, resulted in two fatalities and 31 injuries.
Expressing her grief on X, Banerjee wrote, “Sad to know of another tragic rail accident today, at Gonda, UP! Another derailment of train, this time of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express!”
She questioned the authorities, stating, “What are the railway authorities doing? What is the Government of India doing? The safety and security of passengers are paramount! When will the Government come to their senses?”
Banerjee concluded her post with, “My condolences to the bereaved families, prayers for the injured.”
(With ANI inputs)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak reported to PTI that four people were initially thought to have been killed in the accident, a number also confirmed by district magistrate Neha Sharma. However, about five hours after the 2:35 pm incident, authorities revised the casualty figures, with Sharma stating there was only one confirmed death.
“Prima facie, when teams reached the spot, people were scattered in a bad shape, which led to confusion,” she explained.
Later in the evening, another passenger died while being transported to Lucknow for medical treatment, according to UP Relief Commissioner G S Naveen. The Railways also reported two deaths.
The deceased were identified as Saroj Kumar Singh (31) from Araria in Bihar, and Rahul (38) from Chandigarh.
Thirty injured individuals were being treated at two community health centres, with three more at the district hospital. Alongside Rahul, another passenger was sent to Lucknow for further medical attention.
Despite bad weather temporarily hindering the rescue operation, the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) successfully completed the task.
TMC’s Kunal Ghosh calls for the Railway Minister’s resignation in light of the recent Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in UP’s Gonda, citing a series of accidents as grounds for accountability. Ghosh emphasizes that while resignation isn’t a remedy, taking responsibility is crucial.
Scenes from Babu Ishwar Sharan District Hospital in Gonda, where victims of the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express train derailment are receiving treatment.
#WATCH | Gonda Train Derailment | Manoj Pandit, who was travelling in the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express, says, "We were coming from Chandigarh and going to Bihar. We were travelling in the general coach. When our coach derailed, my child's hand got fractured. I and my wife also… https://t.co/gtGnC8SsDY pic.twitter.com/uLYJgfbZ3v
— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2024
Sandeep Kumar vividly recalls the harrowing moments when the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed on Thursday, describing the cries of a boy and the coach filling with dust.
“I remember hearing the loud cries of a boy sitting across from me in the berth. Suddenly, the coach filled with dust, and everything went dark. I don’t recall what happened next, except for the cries and fellow passengers pulling my hand to help me out through the window,” said Sandeep Kumar, a passenger in a sleeper coach.
The derailment occurred in the Motiganj area, approximately 150 km from Lucknow near Gonda, resulting in the deaths of four passengers and leaving about 20 others injured. The train, en route from Chandigarh to Dibrugarh, had crossed Gonda station at 01:58 pm and derailed shortly after passing Motiganj railway station, just before reaching Basti.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow and concern over a train derailment in Uttar Pradesh, questioning the central government’s role in ensuring passenger safety. The Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals and injuries to 20 others.
Banerjee conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and injured in a post on X, stating, “Heartbroken to learn about another devastating rail accident today in Gonda, UP! The derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express is deeply distressing! What measures are the railway authorities and the Government of India taking? Passenger safety is of utmost importance! When will the authorities wake up to this reality?!”
She concluded with prayers for the recovery of the injured, expressing solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time.
Following the derailment of the Dibrugarh Express near Gonda on Thursday, which tragically claimed two lives and left 20 others injured, a passenger recounted experiencing a mild explosion just before the incident.
“I was headed to Hajipur. Fifteen minutes after departing from Gonda, the train suddenly tilted left and right twice. Then, on the third tilt, we all fell to the left side. There was a slight explosion beforehand, followed by a strong jolt, and our coach derailed. We were traveling from Chandigarh,” the passenger explained.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP-led Centre for the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh, citing it as another example of compromised rail safety under the Modi government. Two fatalities and injuries to 20 individuals occurred when 4-5 coaches derailed near Jhilahi Railway Station in Gonda, according to Pankaj Singh, CPRO North Eastern Railway. Kharge emphasized the urgent need for installing the Kavach anti-collision system nationwide to enhance safety and prevent accidents. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and solidarity with the injured. Additionally, Kharge highlighted a recent collision involving the Sealdah-Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, where 11 lives were lost due to identified safety lapses and equipment deficiencies.
Train number 15904, the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, derailed near Gonda Junction station between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations at approximately 2:37 pm on Thursday. Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway, confirmed the incident under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway (NER).
Kharge criticizes Modi Govt for jeopardizing rail safety with Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in UP.
The rescue operation is nearing completion as all coaches have been inspected by SDRF teams.
The Trinamool Congress has pointed fingers at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in four fatalities and injuring at least 20 individuals on Thursday. Sushmita Dev, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson, emphasized that the railways, a vital mode of transport for millions, is no longer considered safe. Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra echoed concerns, suggesting that the railways appear to be in an “emergency room” phase after 10 years under the Narendra Modi government.
Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar reported that 20 individuals sustained injuries in the accident. Currently, a 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances are stationed at the site, with additional medical teams and ambulances en route.
Several trains have been diverted to alternate routes:
15707 Katihar-Amritsar Express via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki.
15653 Guwahati-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express via Mankapur-Ayodhya-Barabanki.
12598 Mumbai Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express on diverted route.
15204 Lucknow Barauni Express on diverted route.
12532 Lucknow Gorakhpur Express on diverted route.
15652 Jammu Tawi Guwahati Lohit Express on diverted route.
15910 Lalgarh Dibrugarh Avadh Assam Express on diverted route.
11123 Gwalior Barauni Express on diverted route.
02570 New Delhi Darbhanga Express on diverted route.
12566 New Delhi Darbhanga Bihar Sampark Kranti Express on diverted route.
In addition to the Commissioner of Railway Safety inquiry, a high-level investigation has been initiated. The compensation has been increased to ₹10 lakh for fatalities, ₹2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.
The railway reported that the locomotive pilot heard an explosion sound just before the train derailed.
Train Number 5094: Gonda Gorakhpur Passenger
Train Number 5031: Gonda Gorakhpur Pa
Special buses have been organized to transport the remaining passengers from Mankapur Junction to Dibrugarh.
Pankaj Singh, CPRO of North Eastern Railway, stated that the train derailed between Motiganj and Dhilai. He emphasized that their priority is to swiftly complete the rescue operation to resume train services on the route. A helpline number has been set up, and arrangements are being made to operate a special train for the affected passengers to reach their destinations. The railway team has already reached the site to begin work on restoring the railway track.
Following the derailment incident, Indian Railways has swiftly initiated relief operations, ensuring medical vans reached the site promptly. Helpline numbers have been established for assistance: Gonda (8957400965) and Lucknow (8957409292).
Additionally, the Railway Board has issued emergency contacts for immediate support: Commercial Control (9957555984), Furkating (9957555966), Mariani (6001882410), Simalguri (8789543798), Tinsukia (9957555959), and Dibrugarh (9957555960).
The Katihar-Amritsar Express (Train Number 15707) will now travel via Mankapur, Ayodhya, and Barabanki. Similarly, the Guwahati-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (Train Number 15653) is also diverted to operate through Mankapur, Ayodhya, and Barabanki.