Bhubaneswar: One passenger died and eight others, including a woman and a small child, were injured after 11 coaches of Kamakhya Express derailed near Nergundi railway station in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Sunday.
“We have received one body apart from some injured passengers. Three teams of doctors have been engaged to treat the injured passengers,” Administrative officer of SCB Medical College and Hospital Subash Chandra Ray told reporters.
In its latest update, the East Cost Railway (ECoR), however, asserted that there are no reports of any injuries or casualties.
RESCUE & RESTORATION WORK
Meanwhile, the Railways is making efforts to help stranded passengers reach their respective destinations. “The restoration work will begin soon. Now, our priority is to arrange a special train to help the passengers reach their destinations,” said Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda Road Division, H S Bajwa.
NDRF and ODRF teams and railway medical team along with an accident relief train with emergency medical equipment are at the spot. “Stretchers are being used to carry the elderly. They will depart in a special train. We will provide the ex-gratia from the railway in case of any injuries,” he said, adding that the state government will be able to provide information about injured admitted to SCB.
Fire Services DG Sudhansu Sarangi said that it was challenging to reach the spot in the absence of a proper road. “150 firefighters are at the spot and all passengers have been rescued,” he said.
ECoR sources later informed that a special relief train, carrying the affected passengers, has left for Kamakhya via Cuttack. They were also provided drinking water, snacks and food packets at the mishap site.
It further stated that restoration work is in progress on a war footing under the direction supervision of senior Railway officials. “1st part cleared: 6 coaches at 15:30. Only down line is affected, Mail and Express trains are running in up line,” it added.
THE MISHAP
The mishap took place at around 11.54 am. Passengers were seen de-boarding the train with their luggages after the train jumped tracks while en route to Guwahati from Bengaluru. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Also Read: [Watch] Kamakhya Express Derails Near Nirgundi In Odisha’s Cuttack; 3 Trains Diverted
TRAINS DIVERTED
To ensure minimal disruption to railway operations, the following down trains from Bhubaneswar towards Bhadrak will be diverted via Barang-Nergundi-Kapilas Road instead of the usual Cuttack-Kendrapara Road-Nergundi route.
• 12822 Puri-Howrah Dhauli Express
• 12875 Puri-Anand Vihar Neelachal Express
• 22606 Tirunelveli-Purulia Express
• 12704 Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Express
• 12513 Secunderabad-Silchar Express
HELPLINE NUMBER & HELPDESK
The ECoR has also issued some helpline numbers, which are as follows:
Helpline Numbers:
Bhubaneswar – 8455885999
Cuttack – 8991124238
Helpdesk number:
Khurda Road – 06742492245
Helpdesk information:
Bhubaneswar – 8114382371
Bhadrak -9437443469
Cuttack – 7205149591
Palasa – 9237105480
Jajpur Keonjhar Road – 9124639558
IGP Central Range Praveen Kumar, Cuttack (Rural) SP Prateek Singh and Cuttack Choudwar MLA Souvik Biswal also visited the accident site.
ASSAM CM TWEETS
Meanwhile, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma informed that two persons from the state – Willson Digal of Udalguri and Amiran Nisha of Baksa – are injured in the mishap and undergoing treatment. “Both are out of danger,” he added.
He had earlier tweeted that he was aware of the incident involving Kamakhya Express in Odisha. “…We will reach out to each and every person who is affected…,” he wrote.
