Nine people were killed and 60 others were injured on Monday when a goods train crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.
The collision happened near Rangapani station, about 30 km from New Jalpaiguri station. The impact caused four back compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail because the goods train hit it from behind.
Initial investigations into the Kanchanjunga Express crash suggest that the goods train was speeding and violated speed limits due to a faulty automatic signaling system on that section of the track. The Railway Board made this announcement on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing the incident in West Bengal as tragic. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. In a post on X, Modi said, “The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones.”
What we know up to now:
Initial findings from the investigation
The accident happened around 9 am near Rangapani, close to New Jalpaiguri station. The Kanchanjunga Express was traveling from Agartala to Sealdah when the incident occurred. Initial findings suggest that the passenger train was stationary on the tracks when the goods train collided with it from behind.
Among those who lost their lives were seven passengers, the driver of the goods train, and the guard of the passenger train. Senior West Bengal Police officials, however, reported that the death toll was 15.
Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha indicated that the collision may have been caused by a “human error” from the goods train’s driver, who possibly ignored the signal and struck the Kanchanjungha Express.
The guard’s compartment at the rear of the passenger train suffered severe damage. Fortunately, two parcel wagons were positioned between the guard’s coach and a general compartment, which helped reduce injuries to passengers, according to officials.
Railway Minister visits scene, announces compensation
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived at the scene, assessed the relief efforts, and promised compensation for those injured and the families of those who died. He announced increased ex-gratia payments: Rs 10 lakh for fatalities, Rs 2.5 lakh for serious injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries, as posted on X.
Vaishnaw mentioned that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has initiated an investigation into the accident’s cause. He assured that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Did malfunctioning signal cause the crash?
Internal documents revealed that the goods train was permitted to pass through all red signals because the automatic signaling system had “failed.”
A document known as TA 912, issued to the goods train driver by the station master of Ranipatra, authorized the train to ignore red signals, according to a railway source.
Reports indicated that the automatic signaling system between Ranipatra Railway Station (RNI) and Chattar Hat Junction (CAT) had been malfunctioning since 5:50 am.
“The Sealdah-Kanchanjunga Express, Train No. 13174, departed from Rangapani station at 8:27 am and came to a stop between RNI and CAT. The reason for the train’s stoppage is currently unknown,” the source informed PTI.
‘Kavach’ safety system not installed on accident route: Railways
The Railways’ anti-train collision system called ‘Kavach’ was not installed on the Guwahati-Delhi route where the accident occurred.
Railways Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha mentioned that the Kavach system, which automatically prevents train collisions, is currently not operational on this route. She stated, “It is not there right now,” adding that plans are underway to implement it in the future.
Many long-distance trains redirected
Train services from northern Bengal and northeastern India were disrupted due to the accident. Eastern Railway officials stated that several long-distance trains were being rerouted through the Siliguri-Bagdogra-Aluabari zone instead of their usual path because the tracks were blocked at the accident site.
“Bengal CM Mamata criticizes Railways’ management”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the railways on Monday, saying it has become “totally parentless.” She accused the ministry of focusing only on raising fares without improving passenger facilities.
“They have become completely parentless. Even though there is a ministry, the old standard is gone. They only focus on making things look good but neglect passenger needs. They are only interested in increasing fares,” she stated.
Banerjee also criticized the Railway Ministry for not properly implementing the anti-collision system, which could reduce the impact of accidents. “The number of train accidents has increased. Accidents cannot be controlled; that’s a fact. But the railways is not properly implementing the anti-collision system,” she added.