Bilaspur/Raipur: The death toll in the Chhattisgarh train collision climbed to 11 on Wednesday, with several more passengers battling for their lives in hospitals a day after a MEMU passenger train rammed into a stationary goods rake near Bilaspur following a suspected signal breach.
Railway officials said the Gevra–Bilaspur MEMU train, which was running at considerable speed, overshot a stop signal and hit the parked freight train around 4 pm on Tuesday, leading to a powerful impact that crushed the train’s engine and one of its coaches. The collision was so severe that the locomotive mounted the rear wagon of the goods train, trapping passengers inside for nearly two hours before rescue teams could reach them.
Rescue operations continued late into the night, with teams from the South East Central Railway (SECR), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police jointly handling the effort. Heavy equipment was used to cut through mangled metal and pull out survivors and bodies from the wreckage.
Officials confirmed that 11 people have died and over 20 are injured, many with critical injuries. The injured have been admitted to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and other hospitals in Bilaspur, where the state government has announced free treatment.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai visited the injured and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. “All possible assistance will be provided. A detailed inquiry has been ordered to fix responsibility,” he said, while directing officials to ensure the highest standard of medical care.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also reviewed the situation and said that a senior-level inquiry has been initiated to determine how the signal was breached. “Preliminary reports suggest human error, but we are awaiting the official investigation’s outcome,” an SECR spokesperson said.
The Railway Board has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries. Helplines — 7777857335, 7869953330, 8085956528, 9752485600, and 8294730162 — have been set up for families seeking information.
The collision has once again raised concerns about safety and signaling systems on India’s rail network. Experts have urged the railways to accelerate the rollout of Kavach, an automatic train protection system designed to prevent such accidents.
Meanwhile, railway authorities are working to restore operations on the affected section, which remains partially suspended as cranes clear derailed coaches and freight wagons from the tracks.
