Chennai – The Southern Railway has initiated a thorough investigation following the derailment of the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express on the evening of October 11. The incident occurred at Kavaraipettai, Chennai, when the train rammed into a stationary goods train, leading to the derailment of 13 coaches and injuring at least 19 passengers. Southern Railway's chief commissioner of Railway Safety, A.M. Choudhary, has been appointed to lead the inquiry, targeting the railway staff involved, including the Loco Pilot of the Bagmati Express.
Choudhary has summoned key personnel for questioning, including the Loco Pilot, Assistant Loco Pilot, station masters of Kavaraipettai and Ponneri, and several other officials responsible for train operations and maintenance. In a concerning twist, the Government Railway Police in Korukkupet have registered a case, with a potential sabotage angle being explored, prompting an investigation by a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has criticized the Central government, demanding urgent measures to prevent recurring train accidents.
“The Union government should take steps to prevent train accidents. It has now become a series of recurring incidents,” he stated. Southern Railway General Manager R.N. Singh described the train's deviation from the main line to a loop line as “unusual,” emphasizing the importance of examining the circumstances leading to the accident. Reports suggest a signal failure may have been the cause, as sources indicated that the Mysore-Darbhanga Express had received a green signal to proceed along the main line. Following the accident, emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force, swiftly arrived on the scene, facilitating rescue operations.
Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, and all injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The derailment has caused significant disruption to train services in the area, with alternative arrangements being made to manage the affected routes. Railway officials confirmed that the crew of the Bagmati Express emerged without injury, and the fire that erupted in the parcel van was promptly extinguished.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing railway safety in the region, drawing parallels to the tragic Balasore accident in Odisha earlier this year, which claimed over 280 lives. As the investigation unfolds, the Southern Railway remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers.