West Bengal Train Mishap: Loco Pilot, Assistant, Guard Among 3 Railway Staffers Killed In Collision

A tragic train accident that occurred today in Bengal, where a goods train rear-ended the Silchar-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express at around 8.55 am, claimed 15 lives, including three railway staff members.

The collision resulted in three coaches of the train derailing, with one coach mounting the locomotive of the goods train due to the impact.

The deceased include the locomotive pilot, assistant pilot of the goods train, and the guard of the express train. Nearly 60 passengers have been reportedly injured in the mishap.

Jaya Varma Sinha, Railway Board Chairperson, confirmed the deaths, reported NDTV.

"The injured have been taken to the North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri. Our priority is to get them the best possible medical aid so that their lives can be saved and they can recover as fast as possible... The unaffected portion of the train is being sent to its destination for the benefit of the passengers. For the families of the victims, helpdesks and helpline numbers have been set up," she said.

Officials have indicated that the accident might have had more severe casualties if not for the placement of the guard coach and cargo van at the rear-end of the express train. The collision involved four coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express and the engine along with five containers of the goods train.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with initial reports suggesting that the goods train jumped a signal. An inquiry is set to be conducted, with specific scrutiny on the absence of the Kavach - anti-collision system on this route. This incident echoes the concerns raised after a similar collision in Odisha's Balasore last year, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures.

What is Kavach?

Kavach, developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), is designed to prevent train collisions by using high-frequency radio communication to continuously update train movements. If a potential collision is detected, the system automatically activates the train's brakes. Despite its high safety certification and relatively low cost, the system is currently implemented on only 1,500 km of tracks, with plans to cover an additional 3,000 km this year.

Sinha confirmed the fatalities and emphasised the ongoing efforts to implement the Kavach system on critical routes, including the Delhi-Guwahati corridor, which would enhance safety in regions like Bengal and Assam. Meanwhile, 10 trains have been diverted due to the accident, utilising the Aluabari-Siliguri-New Jalpaiguri line to maintain train movement.