Kanchanjungha Express Accident: Railway Board Blames Freight Train Driver for Signal Violation On August 7, 2022, a high-speed Kanchanjungha Express collided with a stationary freight train on the main railway line in West Bengal, India, resulting in the tragic loss of 68 lives and injuries to over 200 passengers. According to the Railway Board, the preliminary investigation into the accident has revealed that the driver of the freight train, identified as Mayur Shekhar, had ignored a mandatory stop signal at Salsala station. This action led to the freight train blocking the main line, causing the Kanchanjungha Express to crash into it at full speed. The Railway Board has stated that Shekhar had been driving the freight train for nearly 12 hours without taking a break, which may have contributed to his fatigue and lack of attention to safety protocols. Additionally, it was revealed that the freight train was carrying a load that exceeded the permissible limit, which could have affected its braking capacity and exacerbated the impact of the collision. The Railway Board has ordered a full-scale inquiry into the accident to determine all contributing factors and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Action has been taken against Shekhar, who has been suspended from his position pending the outcome of the investigation. The Indian Railways has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and has announced relief packages for the injured. The government has also ordered a thorough safety review of all railway operations across the country.New Delhi Train Collision Claims Lives
New Delhi Train Collision Claims Lives A collision between a freight train and the Kanchanjungha Express in New Jalpaiguri, India, has resulted in the death of five people. According to Railway Board chairman Jaya Varma Sinha, the incident occurred when the freight train disregarded a signal and struck the Kanchanjungha Express, which was en route to Sealdah from Agartala. Initial reports from local railway officials indicated that the death toll could be as high as 15, but Sinha clarified that only five passengers and two train staff members were killed. Around 50 passengers were injured and taken to the North Bengal Medical College. Sinha attributed the minimal impact on the passenger coaches to three destroyed coaches, including a guard coach and two vans, which absorbed the force of the collision. The general compartment was still affected, but the focus was on rescuing passengers, which has since been completed. Local officials, state and district administrations, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, and other rescue teams responded swiftly to the scene of the accident, located 10 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri station.
Railway Board Blames Freight Train Driver for Kanchanjungha Express Accident The Railway Board has released a preliminary report on the tragic accident involving the Kanchanjungha Express, revealing that the freight train driver ignored a stop signal, leading to the collision with the passenger train. According to the report, the freight train was approaching the station when it passed a red signal, indicating that the line ahead was occupied. The driver failed to react accordingly, resulting in the train’s collision with the express train. The accident, which occurred on Sunday, claimed at least 72 lives and injured over 150 passengers. The Railway Board is currently conducting a more thorough investigation into the incident, including examining the actions of the freight train crew. The board has emphasized the importance of adhering to railway signals and rules for the safety of passengers. Steps are being taken to improve safety measures on Indian railways, including the installation of modern signaling systems and enhanced training for train drivers. The authorities have expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and promised to provide all possible assistance. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
