2 Dead, 20 Injured As Howrah-Mumbai Mail Derails In Jharkhand; Helplines Issued

Chakradharpur: At least two people died and 20 others were injured after about 18 coaches of Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed in Jharkhand during the wee hours of Tuesday.

The Mumbai-bound train derailed near Chakradharpur, between Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo, in Chakradharpur division around 3:45 am. Rescue and relief operations are underway.

According to reports, out of the derailed coaches, 16 were passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car.

“More than 80% of the passengers have been transferred by buses and other majors to nearby stations and they are being provided with a choice to travel further with a special rake,” said Central Railway CPRO Swapnil Nila told ANI.

According to reports, most passengers were jolted out of their sleep when several coaches derailed one after another.

Special arrangements by South Eastern Railway

>>  Special bus service has been arranged for transportation of passengers from the derailment spot
>> Stranded passengers were carried to Chakradharpur station by a Relief Train
>>  Injured passengers were immediately shifted to Chakradharpur
Railway Hospital and CHC Khutpani
>> 02810 Chakradharpur-CSMT Mumbai Special (Relief) Train will leave Chakradharpur around 10.00 hrs with the passengers
>> Ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each has already been paid to four injured passengers. Grant of Ex-gratia for the rest injured passengers is under process.

Railway issues helpline numbers

The Indian Railways has issued the following helpline numbers: Tatanagar: 06572290324, Chakradharpur: 06587 238072, Rourkela: 06612501072, 06612500244, Howrah: 9433357920, 03326382217, Ranchi: 0651-27-87115 and Mumbai: 022-22694040, Sambalpur: 06632400360.

Several trains have been cancelled or diverted because of the derailment, which has halted services on Tatanagar-Chakradharpur section of South Eastern Railway.

Train cancelled

22861 Howrah-Kantabaji Express,

08015’18019 Kharagpur-Dhanbad Express

12021/12022 Howrah-Barbil Express.

Train short-terminated & running on alternate routes

18114 Bilaspur-Tata Express has been short-terminated at Rourkela.

18190 Ernakulam-Tata Express has been short-terminated at Chakradarpur

18011 Howrah-Chakradharpur Express has been short-terminated at Adra.

Reports of another derailment

An official said there was another derailment of a goods train nearby, according to reports. However, it was not yet clear whether the two accidents occurred concurrently.