NEW DELHI: Adding to one more tragic incident six coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. The derailment, which occurred around 2:40 PM near the Jhilahi station, has resulted in four reported deaths and dozens of injuries.
The train was en route to Dibrugarh when the accident happened. A contingent of army jawans has arrived at the site to assist the local administration in the rescue operation. According to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office, CM Yogi Adityanath has taken immediate cognizance of the accident and has directed officials to reach the spot without delay and expedite the relief work. He has also instructed for the proper treatment of the injured.
In response to the derailment, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has dispatched a 40-member medical team and 15 ambulances to the site. More medical teams and ambulances are on their way. The Relief Commissioner has sent an SDRF team from three districts to accelerate the relief operations.
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The Assam Chief Minister’s Office reported that CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has been briefed about the derailment and is monitoring the situation closely. The Government of Assam is in touch with the relevant authorities to assist.
Pankaj Singh, CPRO of North-Eastern Railway, stated that a medical van from the Railways has reached the spot and rescue operations have commenced. Helpline numbers have been issued to assist those affected by the derailment. Singh noted that the incident occurred around 2:37 PM.
This derailment comes just a month after the Kanchanjunga Express accident, which claimed at least 10 lives. Following that accident, the Commissioner of Railway Safety emphasized the need for an urgent overhaul of train operations across Indian Railways to prevent such incidents. It was highlighted that improper instructions and inadequate counselling of train running and operations staff contributed to the June 17 accident. The frequent malfunctioning of automatic signalling was also identified as a significant issue.
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The tragic derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indian Railways in ensuring passenger safety and maintaining effective operational standards. The swift response by the local administration and rescue teams aims to mitigate the impact of this devastating accident.