2024 West Bengal train collision explained

West Bengal train collision
Pushpin Map:India
Pushpin Map Caption:Crash location on a map of India
Coordinates:26.66°N 88.38°W
Image Map Caption:Location of collision
Time:around 9:00 IST
Location:Near Rangapani railway station, Darjeeling district, West Bengal
Country:India
Line:Katihar–Siliguri line
Operator:Indian Railways
Owner:Government of India
Type:Collision, derailment
Cause:Under investigation
Trains:2 trains
Deaths:11[1]
Injuries:60+

On 17 June 2024, two trains collided in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. A goods train collided with Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, a passenger train near Rangapani railway station. 11 people were killed and more than 60 were injured.

Crash

On 17 June 2024, Kanchanjunga Express (Train No. 13174), a passenger train was traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in West Bengal. The train had left New Jalpaiguri Junction, crossed Rangapani railway station, a non-stopping station at 8:27 IST and stopped some distance before the Chatterhat railway station on the Katihar–Siliguri line, waiting for clearance to proceed further. At 8:45, a goods train (Train no: GFCJ) crossed the Rangapani station and was proceeding on the same line. At 8:55, the goods train rammed the stationary passenger train from behind, causing three coaches of the Kanchenjunga Express to derail.[2] [3] [4]

Victims

Ten people were killed and more than 60 were injured in the collision. The loco pilots of the goods train and the train manager of Kanchanjungha Express were amongst those killed.[5] [6] More than 60 people were injured and the injured were treated at North Bengal Medical College at Siliguri.

Aftermath

The Railways minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site to oversee the response.[7] The Ministry of Railways announced a compensation of for the dead, for those seriously injured and for those with minor injuries.[8] Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced a compensation of for the dead and for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).[9] Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha announced a compensation of for the victims who were from Tripura.

19 trains were cancelled and 22 train were diverted in the aftermath of the crash.[10] Rail traffic on the line towards Guwahati resumed in the evening on the same day and the other line was restored on the morning of 18 June.[11] [12]

Causes

The chairman of the Railway Board said that the operator of the goods train ignored multiple red signals, which might have caused the crash.[13] The train operators union criticised the statement as premature.[14] Railway sources said the cause of the incident may have been a faulty automatic signal, which was defective since 5:50 IST.[15] The trains were not equipped with Kavach, a collision avoidance system designed by Indian Railways.[16]

Preliminary investigation revealed that the trains were issued manual clearances called TA 912 by the station master of the Rangapani station to ignore the faulty signals. The passenger train had traveled some distance from the station and was stationery on the track, awaiting further clearance. In case of a signal failure, Indian railway rules (GS&R 9.02) stipulate that the loco pilots should operate at speeds less than, wait for one minute at each red signal and ensure that the track is visually clear for at least before proceeding.[17] A T/A 912 clearance is typically granted when there are no other obstructions present along the section and is used to override the stipulated rules. Hence, the manual clearance issued to the goods train placed it on a collision course with the stationery passenger train and excessive speed was also considered as a contributing factor to the eventual accident.[18] [19] [20] On 21 June 2024, East Central Railway banned the issuance of T/A 912 until further notice.[21]

Reactions

Indian President Draupadi Murmu said she would pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.[22] On 17 June, Prime Minister Modi offered his condolences and said that rescue operations were underway.[9] Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge offered his condolences and criticised the central government for mismanaging the ministry of railways.[23] Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a thorough investigation would be conducted.[24] West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state is helping with the rescue operations and criticised the central government for not focusing on passenger safety.[25]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Bengal train mishap: Death toll rises to 11, child succumbs to injuries. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. News Minute.
  2. News: Kanchanjunga Express accident: Initial probe blames lapses by goods train crew, Jalpaiguri division's operating dept. The Telegraph. 20 June 2024. 20 June 2024.
  3. News: 9 dead as goods train rams Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal, coach flung into air. India Today. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617042954/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-bound-kanchanjunga-express-hit-goods-train-bengals-siliguri-no-reports-casualties-2554068-2024-06-17. live.
  4. News: 9 Dead, 25 Injured After Goods Train Hits Kanchanjunga Express In Bengal. NDTV. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617045846/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kanchanjunga-express-collides-with-goods-train-in-west-bengals-darjeeling-rescue-on-5906662. live.
  5. News: 9 including loco pilot dead in collision; PM announces compensation for victims. The Indian Express. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617062019/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kanchanjunga-exoress-train-accident-live-updates-bengal-darjeeling-9396945/. live.
  6. News: 9 dead as goods train rams Kanchanjunga Express in Bengal, coach flung into air. India Today. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617042954/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-bound-kanchanjunga-express-hit-goods-train-bengals-siliguri-no-reports-casualties-2554068-2024-06-17. live.
  7. News: Railway minister visits site. The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617051949/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/west-bengal-train-accident-live-updates-sealdah-kanchanjunga-express-collision-latest-news-today-17-june-2024-101718600345471.html. live.
  8. News: West Bengal Train Accident: ₹10 lakh ex-gratia announced. Live Mint. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617080653/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kanchanjungha-express-goods-train-accident-live-updates-dead-injured-collision-newrjalpaiguri-bengal-helpline-number-11718599520428.html. live.
  9. News: PM Modi offers condolences, Railway minister Vaishnaw heads to West Bengal. The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618052556/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kanchanjunga-express-derailed-pm-modi-offers-condolences-railway-minister-vaishnaw-heads-to-west-bengal/articleshow/111052489.cms?from=mdr. live.
  10. News: 19 trains cancelled as Kanchanjunga Express accident disrupts service. The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617100755/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/19-trains-cancelled-as-kanchanjunga-express-accident-disrupts-service-full-list-101718616036182.html. live.
  11. News: Train Services Fully Restored At West Bengal Crash Site Where 10 Died. NDTV. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618144007/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/train-services-fully-restored-at-west-bengal-crash-site-where-10-died-5917544. live.
  12. News: Kanchanjunga Express train accident: 26-km diversion for 22 passenger trains. The Hindu. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618040918/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/several-trains-cancelled-diverted-after-kanchenjunga-express-train-mishap-in-west-bengal/article68302556.ece. live.
  13. News: Seems the goods train disregarded the signal; Prima facie human error. The Economic Times. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024.
  14. News: What caused Kanchenjunga Express crash? Railway board cites human error, ground info indicates signal glitch. The Times of India. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618052555/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/what-caused-kanchenjunga-express-crash-railway-board-cites-human-error-ground-info-indicates-signal-glitch/articleshow/111073334.cms. live.
  15. News: Kanchanjunga Express accident: Signal had been defective since 5.50 am, says a railway source. The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617114721/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kanchanjunga-express-accident-signal-had-been-defective-since-5-50-am-says-a-railway-source/articleshow/111056481.cms?from=mdr. live.
  16. News: Kavach system not in place on mishap route, says Railway Board Railway sources. The Hindu. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617053847/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kanchanjungha-express-train-accident-live-updates-goods-train-west-bengal-new-jalpaiguri/article68299231.ece. live.
  17. General and Subsidiary rules. Indian Railways. 21 June 2024.
  18. News: Kanchanjunga accident: locopilot of goods train had authority to cross all signals in red. The Hindu. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618014222/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kanchanjunga-accident-locopilot-of-goods-train-had-authority-to-cross-all-signals-in-red/article68300643.ece. live.
  19. News: Human Error Or Signal Failure: What Led To Kanchanjunga Train Accident. NDTV. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618041830/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kanchanjunga-express-accident-human-error-or-signal-failure-what-led-to-kanchanjunga-train-accident-5913528. live.
  20. News: 17 June 2024 . Kanchanjunga accident: Goods driver was cleared to pass red signals, say sources . 18 June 2024 . . 18 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240618010036/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kanchanjunga-express-accident-bengal-goods-train-driver-cleared-to-cross-red-signals-2554429-2024-06-17 . live .
  21. News: Kanchanjunga Express accident: ECR suspends issuing of T/A 912, directs drivers to maintain caution. 22 June 2024. 22 June 2024. Deccan Herald.
  22. News: Kanchanjunga Express Accident Highlights: PM Takes Stock, Rail Minister Reaches On Bike. NDTV. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618013651/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kanchanjungha-express-train-accident-live-updates-kanchanjungha-express-goods-train-collide-in-darjeeling-rescue-ops-on-5906811. live.
  23. News: Kanchanjunga Express accident: Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi govt, says 'utter mismanagement' of railway ministry. The Economic Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617101845/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kanchanjunga-express-accident-mallikarjun-kharge-slams-modi-govt-says-utter-mismanagement-of-railway-ministry/articleshow/111056766.cms?from=mdr. live.
  24. Web site: Kanchanjunga Express Accident: Railways to hold inquiry into West Bengal train mishap on June 19. The Economic Times. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618083954/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kanchanjunga-express-accident-railways-to-hold-inquiry-into-west-bengal-train-mishap-on-june-19/articleshow/111075542.cms?from=mdr. live.
  25. News: INDIA bloc pans government over Bengal train accident: Only cares about elections. The Hindustan Times. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240617125339/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-bloc-pans-government-over-bengal-train-accident-only-cares-about-elections-101718627365386.html. live.

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