Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment

In a tragic accident on July 18, the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in at least two fatalities and 35 injuries. The derailment occurred around 2:35 PM, when eight of the train’s bogies went off track. Relief and rescue operations were swiftly mobilized, but the cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has ordered the immediate deployment of rescue teams. The government announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for those with severe injuries, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that no casualties from Assam have been reported. A special train has been arranged to transport stranded passengers from Mankapur to Dibrugarh, with additional helpline numbers provided for assistance. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has also diverted three trains due to the accident.

Congress has criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the incident, calling for an expedited installation of the Kavach anti-collision system. The party demands accountability from both the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister for the lapses in rail safety.

The train derailment in Gonda is part of a concerning pattern of deadly rail accidents in India. Since 1995, there have been seven major accidents, with the highest toll recorded at 358 lives in the Firozabad collision.

In response to the accident, a help desk has been set up at Chandigarh railway station, and Gonda district officials are overseeing the ongoing rescue and relief operations. A total of 20 people have been reported injured, with medical teams and ambulances actively assisting at the scene.

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Major Train Derailments in Indian History

India has witnessed several significant train derailments throughout its history, often resulting in high casualties and highlighting critical issues in rail safety. Here are some of the most notable incidents:

1. Firozabad Train Collision (1995)
   • Date: November 6, 1995
   • Location: Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh
   • Details: A collision between the Kalindi Express and the Nawada Express resulted in the derailment of 14 coaches. This disaster is one of the deadliest train accidents in India’s history, claiming 358 lives.
2. Balasore Train Collision (2023)
   • Date: June 2, 2023
   • Location: Balasore, Odisha
   • Details: The collision involved the Coromandel Express, the Howrah-Bubaneshwar Express, and a goods train. This tragic accident resulted in 287 fatalities, making it one of the most devastating rail accidents in recent times.
3. Gaisal Train Disaster (1999)
   • Date: August 2, 1999
   • Location: Gaisal, West Bengal
   • Details: The collision between the North-East Express and the Saraighat Express led to the derailment of several coaches. The accident resulted in around 285 deaths and numerous injuries.
4. Patna-Gaya Train Derailment (2002)
   • Date: January 6, 2002
   • Location: Munger, Bihar
   • Details: The Patna-Gaya Express derailed due to a suspected sabotage of tracks. This incident claimed 130 lives and left several others injured.
5. Kurseong Train Accident (1999)
   • Date: September 11, 1999
   • Location: Kurseong, West Bengal
   • Details: A train carrying passengers to the popular hill station of Darjeeling derailed due to track failure, resulting in 66 deaths and many injuries.
6. Dhanbad Train Accident (1999)
   • Date: February 19, 1999
   • Location: Dhanbad, Jharkhand
   • Details: The collision between the Patna-bound Kalinga Utkal Express and a stationary goods train caused 60 deaths and numerous injuries.
7. Jalpaiguri Train Accident (1960)
   • Date: February 15, 1960
   • Location: Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
   • Details: The derailment of the Up Mail train resulted in approximately 70 deaths. The cause was attributed to track misalignment.

Key Causes and Issues

• Track Failure: Often due to poor maintenance or sabotage.
• Human Error: Errors by train operators or signal failure.
• Sabotage: Acts of terrorism or vandalism targeting rail infrastructure.
• Weather Conditions: Extreme weather leading to track instability or accidents.

Recent Developments

India has been working to improve railway safety with measures such as the installation of the Kavach anti-collision system, better track maintenance, and modern signaling systems. Despite these efforts, ensuring complete safety remains an ongoing challenge.