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New Delhi: In a horrific incident, a passenger train collided with a goods train near the Jairamnagar station in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, killing at least eight people and injuring several others.
The accident took place when a local passenger train and a goods train collided on the Bilaspur–Katni section, a crucial and heavily used rail corridor. The Indian Railways has ordered a detailed inquiry into the collision.
Indian Railways has issued an official statement in which it has said that the inquiry will be conducted at the level of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to find out why the collision occurred and how it can be prevented in the future.
As per the railways, a preliminary assessment has indicated that a signal passed at danger (SPAD) could be the reason behind the accident. It said the passenger train's loco pilot may have missed a signal at the “danger" (red) position on a route that reportedly has an automatic signalling system.
According to reports, the incident happened at around 4 pm when the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train was heading to Bilaspur from Gevra. When it reached between Gatora and Bilaspur railway stations, the passenger train reportedly hit the rear of the goods train.
A coach of the passenger train was on top of a goods train's wagon as teams rushed there for relief and rescue operations. Train movement on the Bilaspur–Howrah line has been completely disrupted, with several other train services either cancelled or diverted. Reports say, the collision resulted in significant damage to overhead electrical wires and signal systems, which officials said could take time to restore.
Railway medical teams are at the scene, and the injured were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The railway administration has released a helpline number. These are: Champa Junction (808595652), Raigarh (975248560), and Pendra Road (8294730162). The authorities have also provided helpline numbers at the accident site: 9752485499, 860200720.
