Tamil Nadu Train Collision: 19 Injured as Bagmati Express Derails After Hitting Goods Train, Restoration Efforts Underway Amid Heavy Rain
3 min read
A tragic train accident occurred in Tamil Nadu on the evening of October 11, 2024, when the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary goods train between Ponneri and Kavarappettai railway stations, approximately 46 km from Chennai. The accident left at least 19 passengers injured and disrupted rail services in the area. Restoration efforts are currently underway, though heavy rainfall in the region has posed additional challenges.
Details of the Incident
The collision happened at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when the Bagmati Express rear-ended a goods train that was stationed on a loop line. The impact caused 12 to 13 coaches of the Bagmati Express to derail, leaving many passengers trapped. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site, and the injured were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, with the most serious cases taken to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai.
Response and Rescue Operations
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed shock over the incident and stated that he was closely monitoring the rescue efforts. The Chief Minister assured that all necessary measures were being taken to provide immediate medical care to the injured. Special teams were deployed to ensure food and shelter for the passengers, while the railway authorities worked on clearing the derailed coaches
The Southern Railway has set up helplines to assist passengers and their families. Help desks were established at key stations, including Chennai Central Railway Station, to provide support to stranded passengers. The accident also caused the cancellation and diversion of several trains scheduled for the following day, leading to a ripple effect on the region’s train services.
Restoration Efforts
Restoration work on the affected section of the Chennai-Gudur railway line began immediately after the accident. However, the efforts faced significant delays due to heavy rainfall in the Tiruvallur district, which complicated the process of clearing the tracks. Despite the adverse weather conditions, railway officials have assured that restoration will be completed within 16 to 24 hours.
Drone visuals from the accident site show the extent of the damage, with coaches of the derailed train scattered across the tracks. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered a high-level inquiry into the cause of the collision, and the findings are expected to help prevent such incidents in the future.
Safety Concerns and Future Measures
The rear-end collision has raised concerns about railway safety protocols in India. While the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, early reports suggest that the Bagmati Express was supposed to enter the loop line but may have encountered an issue leading to the collision. Railways officials have promised a thorough investigation to identify any lapses and improve safety measures on high-traffic routes like the Chennai-Gudur line.
Impact on Passengers
In the aftermath of the collision, the Southern Railway provided special trains to help stranded passengers continue their journey. One such special train departed from Dr. M.G.R. Chennai Central at around 4:45 a.m. the next morning, taking the remaining passengers of the Bagmati Express onward to their destinations.
Passengers expressed gratitude for the swift response but were shaken by the incident. “It was a terrifying experience,” one survivor said, describing the moment of impact and the chaos that followed.
Conclusion
As the authorities continue to work on restoring train services and investigating the cause of the accident, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of passengers and preventing such incidents from recurring. The Tamil Nadu train accident is a reminder of the challenges that India’s vast railway network faces, especially in terms of safety and infrastructure. The government’s prompt action in rescue and relief efforts has been commendable, but the incident underscores the need for stringent safety measures and modernization of the rail system to protect passengers from future accidents.
For more updates, travelers and families can contact the helplines set up by the Southern Railway for further assistance.
