Kanchanjungha Express train accident June 17

In train accident 9 dead, over 40 injured as goods train collides with Kanchanjungha Express in West Bengal

On June 17, early in the morning, three rear coaches of the stationary Kanchanjunga Express, headed for Sealdah, derailed after a goods train collided with it in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal. The incident resulted in nine casualties, including seven passengers and two railway workers, and 41 injuries. The Railway Ministry said in a statement that 32 people had mild or uncomplicated injuries and nine people had severe injuries. For treatment, the injured have been moved to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolences, describing the West Bengal incident as terrible and expressing his prayers for the injured parties’ quick recovery. About thirty kilometers from the New Jalpaiguri station in North Bengal, the freight train’s locomotive collided from behind, causing the three rear compartments to collapse.

When Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the scene, he said that an investigation into the accident’s cause had been launched by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Mr. Vaishnaw stated on X that the next of kin of the deceased would receive ₹10 lakh, the severely injured would receive ₹2.5 lakh, and those with slight injuries would receive ₹50,000.

He attested to the conclusion of the rescue efforts.

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Documents show goods train driver not at fault, allowed to pass red signals

According to internal documentation, all red lights were crossed by the freight train that collided with the Kanchanjunga Express on Monday in West Bengal between Chattar Hat Junction and Ranipatra Railway Station because the automatic signaling system had “failed.”
A railway source claims that the goods train driver was granted written authority, known as TA 912, by the Ranipatra station master, enabling him to run red signals at all.

The authority letter states that since “Automatic Signalling has failed, you are hereby authorized to pass all automatic signals between RNI (Ranipatra Railway Station) and CAT (Chattar Hat Junction).”

Regarding this, it is important to note that railroad regulations stipulate that if a loco pilot is assigned T/A 912 and must cross a red signal, he must approach the signal at 10 kmph, stop his train as close to the rear of the signal as feasible, wait at the signal for one minute during the day and two minutes at night, and then continue at 10 kmph.

A loco pilot must also make sure that, after passing the signal, there is a minimum of 150 meters—or two clear OHE spans—between his train and the train in front of it or any other obstruction on the line.

It is incorrect to say that T/A 912 requires loco pilots to fly through red lights at their regular speed.
JUNE 17, 2024 18:47

‘Railways totally parentless’: Mamata alleges Centre keen on only increasing fares

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the railroads were only interested in raising fees and not in enhancing passenger services, accusing them of being “totally parentless.”
“The railroads no longer have any parental figureship. The former glory is gone, but the Ministry remains. The only thing being done is cosmetic; passenger amenities are unimportant to them. They’re solely interested in hiking trails,” she asserted.

All you’ll witness is them talking a lot. They also don’t look after the technical, safety, security, and railroad officers. I stand with the officers and workers of the railway,” she continued.
She blasted the Railway Ministry, saying that improper application of the anti-collision technology might lessen the severity of such incidents.
“There has been an increase in train accidents. It is a fact that nobody has any control over accidents. However, she claimed, “the railways are not correctly implementing the anti-collision system.”