West Bengal: Secunderabad-Shalimar Express derails in Howrah, relief measures taken, passengers unharmed

West Bengal News: In a distressing incident, three coaches of the Secunderabad-Shalimar Superfast Express (Train No. 22850) derailed near Nalpur Station in West Bengal's Howrah district early on Saturday morning. According to South Eastern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Omprakash Charan, the derailment involved three coaches, including the B1 coach. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities have been reported, though the accident has raised significant concerns among passengers and railway authorities.

Quick Response from Railways, Relief Trains Dispatched

The derailment was reported at 5:31 a.m., when the Secunderabad-Shalimar Weekly Express was moving from the middle track to the down line. As the train made this transition, one parcel van and two passenger coaches went off the rails. In response, the South Eastern Railway dispatched accident relief and medical assistance trains from Santragachi and Kharagpur to the scene. Authorities also arranged for approximately 10 buses to transport stranded passengers to Kolkata, ensuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.

Charan stated, “At 5:31 a.m., the Secunderabad-Shalimar Weekly Express train derailed while going from the middle line to the down line. One parcel van and two passenger coaches have derailed. No major injury or casualty has been reported. Around 10 buses have been arranged for passengers for their onward journey.”

Recent Rail Safety Data Raises Awareness

The incident comes amid heightened awareness around railway safety across India. Over the past five years, 351 lives were lost and 970 people were injured in 200 consequential railway accidents across India, according to data shared by the Indian Railways from its 17 zones, as reported by The Hindu. This information underscores the continuing efforts needed to enhance rail safety standards.

Railway Minister’s Assurance on Reduced Accidents

In a recent inspection at the Kolkata-based PSU Braithwaite and Co., Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw discussed efforts to improve rail safety. Vaishnaw highlighted that in the past decade, the frequency of rail accidents per year has dropped significantly—from 171 incidents annually to around 40. This reduction reflects the ongoing work within the railway sector to improve infrastructure and reduce accidents.

As authorities investigate the cause of the Secunderabad-Shalimar Express derailment, the Indian Railways remains committed to enhancing safety measures and ensuring passengers' well-being on all its routes.