Chhattisgarh Train Accident: A Look at Major Train Accidents in India Over Last Five Years

At least six people were killed and several injured after a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh on Monday afternoon. The tragic crash adds to a worrying series of railway accidents across India in recent years.

Collision Near Bilaspur Sparks Panic

The collision occurred around 4 pm when a MEMU passenger train crashed into a goods train near Bilaspur station. Visuals from the site showed mangled coaches and rescue workers pulling victims from the wreckage.

According to officials, the impact was so severe that several passenger coaches derailed. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest a possible signal or brake failure.

Rescue Operations and Compensation Announced

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that rescue teams, including NDRF and local police, were deployed immediately. The injured were shifted to Bilaspur District Hospital for treatment.

The government announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

Major Train Accidents in Last Five Years

The Bilaspur collision is the latest in a string of serious railway disasters that have raised concerns about train safety in India. Here are some of the most significant incidents reported in the last five years.

1. Odisha Triple Train Collision (June 2023)

In one of the deadliest accidents in recent memory, the Coromandel Express, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train collided in Balasore, Odisha. Nearly 296 people were killed and more than 1,200 were injured.

Investigations found that a faulty signal diverted one of the trains onto the wrong track, triggering a chain collision that devastated the region.

2. Kanchanjunga Express Crash in West Bengal (June 2024)

A goods train rammed into the Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri. Fifteen passengers lost their lives, and several others were injured.

Authorities later confirmed that driver negligence and signal oversight led to the accident, renewing calls for anti-collision systems in India's railway network.

3. Vizianagaram Collision in Andhra Pradesh (October 2023)

Two passenger trains, the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Express and the Rayagada Passenger, collided after one train passed two defective automatic signals. Fourteen people were killed, and around 50 were injured.

The incident highlighted persistent issues in the signalling system and the lack of automatic alert mechanisms.

4. Madurai Train Fire in Tamil Nadu (August 2023)

A fire broke out in a coach of the Lucknow-Rameswaram Express near Madurai after passengers illegally used a cooking gas cylinder. Nine people died, and over 20 were injured.

The incident raised concerns about lax security checks and passenger safety inside trains.

5. Bikaner-Guwahati Express Derailment (January 2022)

Nine people were killed and over 50 injured when twelve coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed near Maynaguri in West Bengal.

Investigations revealed that a mechanical fault in the locomotive was responsible for the derailment.

Recurring Safety Concerns

Railway data shows that between 2019 and 2024, India recorded around 200 consequential accidents, resulting in over 350 deaths. Experts say human error, signalling lapses, and poor maintenance remain major challenges.

Despite ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology, repeated collisions involving goods and passenger trains show that safety reforms are still incomplete.

A Call for Accountability

Today's Bilaspur accident once again highlights the urgent need for advanced signalling systems, better track monitoring, and improved crew training. Railway experts emphasize that lessons from past tragedies must translate into immediate action.

As India continues to modernize its vast railway network, ensuring passenger safety remains one of the system's biggest challenges.