2 injured as Pawan Exp derails near Nashik; CR orders probe

Eleven coaches of the Lokmanya Tilak-Jaynagar Express Pawan Express derailed near Nashik on Sunday afternoon, the railways said. The railways has ordered a probe.

According to local residents, around half a dozen of passengers were injured and a body was also found near the derailment site. However, the Central Railway (CR) officials denied it and said there were no deaths and only two persons were injured.

According to CR, only Mukesh Kumar Mahto, 48, who travelled in B -1 coach and Lakhimchand, 52 travelling in A-1 coach were injured.

Mukesh, who suffered patellar fracture in right knee grievously, was shifted to Jairam Hospital, Nashik Road. Lakhimchand suffered abrasion over forehead.

"The body being shown in some news channels may be an outsider lying near the track. The body must have been there before the derailment took place" said chief public relations officer, CR, Shivaji Sutar.

According to sources, Saroj Mishra, 51, Ajay Ram, 25, Arshad and S Yadav also suffered minor injuries but CR spokesperson denied it.

The accident took place between Lahavit and Devlali in the Central Railway's Bhusaval division at around 3:10 pm.

“The remaining passengers were taken to Nashik by 11 buses from where they will be accommodated in a spare train. Food arrangements have been made for them," said a CR official.

Over a dozen trains were cancelled; several were diverted on other routes including Train 22221 Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express due to the derailment.

Asked about the restoration work, a CR official said it will be possible by tomorrow, as around 400 metres of track was damaged.

Meanwhile, the CR has ordered an inquiry into the incident and formed a high level committee. Asked about the reason for the derailment, a senior officer said it would be known only after the committee submits the report. However, the source said, rail fracture might be the reason.

The CR has issued helpline numbers 022-22694040 and 02267455993 for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, 0253-2465816 for Nashik Road, 02582-220167 for Bhusaval and 54173 for the Disaster Management Room.