Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 30: One person was killed while seven others sustained injuries when 11 coaches of the Bengaluru – Guwahati AC Superfast Kamakhya Express train derailed near Nergundi Station in the Cuttack-Nergundi Railway Section of Khurda Road Division of East Coast Railway in Odisha on Sunday, officials said.
“We have received one body has been received apart from some injured passengers. Three teams of doctors have been engaged to treat the injured passengers,” Administrative officer of SCB Medical College and Hospital Subash Chandra Ray said. Sources said the deceased was identified as Suvankar Roy, 23, hailing from Alipur in West Bengal.
Sources said the coaches derailed at around 11:54 AM. The SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC SF Express (12551) was travelling from Bengaluru to Guwahati when the incident took place. A railway team rushed to the spot to assess the situation and take necessary actions. Accident Relief Train and Medical Relief Train have also been rushed to the spot.
The officials have yet to ascertain the cause of the derailment. Some trains were also diverted from their actual route due to derailment. 12822 Dhauli Express, 12875 Neelachal Express, and 22606 Purulia SF Express were diverted with immediate effect.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire services were immediately mobilized, and a relief train had already been dispatched to the accident site. The railway authorities have also deployed frontline officers and support staff to assist with the situation.
A senior railway official said, “Our resources are on the ground, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and swift assistance to those affected.” The divisional railway manager (DRM) Khurda Road, general manager of ECoR and other higher-level officials were also rushed to the spot. ECoR officials also said they are making alternate arrangements to ensure that the passengers reach their respective destinations, following which they will start restoration works.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concerns over the derailment and said the authorities are working to ensure normalcy at the earliest. “Deeply concerned about the derailment of Kamakhya Express near Nergundi station in #Cuttack. Grateful that all passengers are safe. Authorities are on-site, ensuring assistance and restoring normalcy at the earliest. Helplines activated for support,” he posted on X.
His Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma said his office was in touch with the Odisha government following the train accident in the coastal state. “I am aware of the incident involving the 12551 Kamakhya Express in Odisha. @CMOfficeAssam is in touch with the Odisha Government and Railways. We will reach out to every person who is affected,” Sarma said in a post on X.
