Major Train Collision Near Raninagar Leads to Rerouting of 24 Trains
Desk Report, June 17, 2024: In a significant incident today, the 13174 Down Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express collided with a goods train near Raninagar and Chatterhat station under the Katihar division of N.F. Railway. Following the collision, authorities have rerouted 24 trains via the New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Junction, Bagdogra, and Aluabari Road routes.
The Kanchanjungha Express, which departed from Agartala on June 16, was struck from behind. The list of diverted trains includes:
– 19602 New Jalpaiguri Udaipur City Weekly Express (17.06.24)
– 20503 Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (16.06.24)
– 12423 Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (16.06.24)
– 11666 Agartala-Rani Kamlapati Special Train (16.06.24)
– 12377 Sealdah-New Alipurduar Padatik Express (16.06.24)
– 06105 Nagercoil-Dibrugarh Special (14.06.24)
– 20506 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (16.06.24)
– 12424 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (16.06.24)
– 22301 Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express (17.06.24)
– 12346 Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express (17.06.28)
– 12505 Kamakhya-Anand Vihar Northeast Express (17.06.24)
– 12510 Guwahati-Bengaluru Express (17.06.24)
– 22302 New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express (17.06.24)
– 15620 Kamakhya Gaya Express (17.06.24)
– 15962 Dibrugarh-Howrah Kamrup Express (17.06.24)
– 15636 Guwahati-Okha Express (17.06.24)
– 15930 New Tinsukia-Tambaram Express (17.06.24)
– 13148 Bamanhat-Sealdah Uttar Bangs Express (17.06.24)
– 22504 Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Express (17.06.24)
– 13142 New Alipurduar-Sealdah Teesta Torsa Express (17.06.2024)
– 12344 Haldibari-Sealdah Darjeeling Mail (17.06.2024)
– 12378 New Alipurduar-Sealdah Padatik Express (17.06.2024)
– 15651 Guwahati-Jammu Tawi Lohit Express (17.06.2024)
– 15658 Kamakhya-Delhi Brahmaputra Mail (17.06.2024)
The collision occurred approximately 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station around 08:55 hrs. An Accident Relief Medical team, along with necessary personnel and equipment, was swiftly dispatched to the site. Senior officials from New Jalpaiguri and Katihar promptly arrived to oversee rescue and relief efforts.
General Manager of N.F. Railway, Shri Chetan Kr. Shrivastava, along with other senior officials, departed from Maligaon by train to assess the situation firsthand. Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw also departed from Delhi to personally oversee operations at the accident site.
The collision derailed four coaches from the rear section of the Kanchanjungha Express and five wagons of the container train, obstructing movement on both Up and Down lines. The tragic incident claimed the lives of eight individuals and injured approximately 25 others. Immediate medical assistance is being provided to stabilize the injured.
Despite the disruption, the unaffected portion of the Kanchanjungha Express has been cleared to continue its journey. Passengers aboard the affected train were promptly provided with food packets and water bottles to mitigate inconvenience.
Indian Railways has announced ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased, Rs 2,50,000 for those with grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries. Helpline numbers have been disseminated across all key stations along the affected route to assist passengers and concerned individuals.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing as authorities work tirelessly to restore normalcy to rail operations in the region.
Also read: Kanchanjunga Express Tragedy: 8 Lives Lost in West Bengal Train Collision
