TRAIN DERAILS IN UP, DOZENS INJURED
At least 24 people were injured as eight bogies of the MeerutLucknow Rajyarani Express derailed near Rampur in UP on Saturday. Officials ruled out sabotage and said it appeared the accident was caused by a loose joint on the tracks that was not welded properly.
BAREILLY: Ten coaches of Lucknow-bound Rajya Rani Express derailed near Rampur on Saturday, injuring over two dozen passengers in the incident.
As soon as the incident was reported, the railways swung into action and rushed the injured to Rampur district hospital, 5 km from the spot. Bareilly Moradabad rail route was blocked due to the incident.
Divisional rail manager of Moradabad division Pramod Kumar said, “Coaches of 22454 Rjya Rani Express derailed in Rampur around 8 am. We have deployed our disaster relief trains and other emergency units to clear the track.”
According to officials, the train left Moradabad railway station for Rampur at 7:36 am. Thirty minutes later, it derailed after crossing the bridge over Koshi River. “People fell over each other and shouted for help. The coach was filled with thick dust,” said Amit Katiyar, a passenger of D4 coach.
Officials said 120 m stretch of railway line was damaged in the incident. “It was scheduled to arrive in Rampur at 8:05 am and was running on time,” said Amit Saxena, Rampur station master, who was the first to get the information about the derailment.
Saxena relayed the message to senior authorities who pressed emergency units into service.
“We were able to extend aid within the golden hour of the accident which limited the loss,” said Sanjay Kishore, inspector general, railway protection force. Though the railways and local administration has formed teams to investigate the reason behind the accident, senior officials have ruled out foul play or sabotage.
“Prima facie it seems that the accident took place because of a loose joint which came off as it was not welded properly,” a senior official of Northern Railway told HT. Apart from the quick response of the emergency units, the officials also attributed the slow speed of the train as a factor which limited loss of lives.
“The train was moving at a slow (25-30 kmph) speed when the accident took place and it gave the loco pilot enough time to apply emergency brakes,” said the Divisional rail manager.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked minister Baldev Singh Aulakh to reach the spot and take stock of the rescue operation.
He has also announced a compensation of ₹50,000 and 25,000 for passengers with serious and mild injuries, respectively.