On Thursday, at 2.37pm, 21 coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Motiganj in Gonda, resulting in three fatalities and 29 injuries. The train was en route to Dibrugarh in Assam and was 25km from Gonda when the accident occurred.
Derailment Incident:
- Loco pilot Tribhuvan Narain reported hearing a loud sound near Jhilahi railway station and observed overhead electrical wires swinging wildly, prompting him to apply emergency brakes, leading to the derailment.
- The train was traveling at 70-80kmph between Motiganj and Jhilahi stations, with eight coaches fully derailed and others partially off-track.
Previous Incidents:
- This incident follows a recent fatal rail accident involving a goods train rear-ending the Kanchanjungha Express in north Bengal, resulting in 10 deaths and 41 injuries.
- Over the past 12 months, there have been several accidents, including a three-train collision in Odisha’s Balasore, resulting in approximately 300 fatalities.
Investigation and Response:
- A routine investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety is underway, along with a high-level inquiry to determine the cause of the derailment.
- No explosives or suspicious items were found at the accident site by the Railway Protection Force sniffer dogs.
Fatalities and Injuries:
- Gonda DM Neha Sharma confirmed two fatalities: Saroj Kumar Singh from Bihar’s Araria and Rahul from Chandigarh. Additionally, five critically injured passengers were reported.
- The railways announced ex gratia compensation for the kin of the deceased and the injured passengers.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the speed of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express between Motiganj and Jhilahi stations?
- A) 60-70kmph
- B) 70-80kmph
- C) 80-90kmph
- D) 90-100kmph
- Answer: B) 70-80kmph
- How many coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express were fully derailed during the accident?
- A) Six
- B) Eight
- C) Ten
- D) Twelve
- Answer: B) Eight
- What type of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the derailment?
- A) Routine investigation
- B) High-level investigation
- C) Criminal investigation
- D) Civil investigation
- Answer: B) High-level investigation