Dibrugarh Express Derails in Gonda: 2 Dead, 20 Injured
On Tuesday, the Dibrugarh Express derailed near Jhilahi Railway Station in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least twenty others. The incident occurred at around 2:37 pm between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations under the North Eastern Railway jurisdiction. Four to five coaches from the front of the train derailed.
Immediate Response
Upon receiving the information, medical teams and senior officials from the Lucknow division of North Eastern Railway rushed to the site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the injured have been taken to the hospital for proper treatment and that rescue and relief operations are ongoing. He directed officials to expedite the relief work and expressed his prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Reactions and Statements
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed shock and concern over the accident, stating that he is closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed that no casualties from Assam have been reported and that teams are on standby for support.
The Ministry of Railways announced ex gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. A high-level inquiry has been ordered in addition to the Commissioner of Railway Safety’s investigation.
Political Reactions
Opposition leaders criticized the central government over the mishap. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge blamed the Modi government for compromising rail safety and demanded the installation of the Kavach anti-collision system on all routes. He also recalled the Kanchenjunga train tragedy and called for the Railway Minister to take responsibility.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the central government over passenger safety and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh demanded the resignation of Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on moral grounds.
Medical Updates
Dr. M W Khan, Medical Superintendent of SMC Gonda, reported that nine injured people have been admitted to the hospital, with three critically injured and referred to Lucknow for further treatment. The remaining six have been declared stable.
Eyewitness Accounts
A passenger on the train reported a mild explosion before the incident, followed by a strong jolt that caused the coach to derail. Another passenger, Manoj Pandit, mentioned that his child’s hand got fractured, and both he and his wife sustained injuries.
Restoration work is currently underway at the derailment site.
Doubts Revealed
Dibrugarh Express -: Dibrugarh Express is a train that travels between Dibrugarh in Assam and other parts of India. Trains are a common way to travel long distances in India.
Derails -: When a train derails, it means it goes off the tracks. This can be very dangerous and cause accidents.
Gonda -: Gonda is a place in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is one of the many districts in the state.
Jhilahi Railway Station -: Jhilahi Railway Station is a small train station in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Trains stop here to pick up and drop off passengers.
Uttar Pradesh -: Uttar Pradesh is a large state in northern India. It has many cities and towns, and a lot of people live there.
CM Yogi Adityanath -: Yogi Adityanath is the Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh. A Chief Minister is like the head of the state government.
Assam -: Assam is a state in northeastern India. It is known for its tea gardens and beautiful landscapes.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma -: Himanta Biswa Sarma is the Chief Minister of Assam. He is responsible for the administration of the state.
Ministry of Railways -: The Ministry of Railways is a part of the Indian government that takes care of the railways. They make sure trains run safely and on time.
Compensation -: Compensation is money given to people who have been hurt or lost something. It helps them recover from their loss.
Opposition leaders -: Opposition leaders are politicians who are not part of the ruling government. They often point out problems and suggest improvements.
Rail safety -: Rail safety means making sure that trains run safely without accidents. It includes maintaining tracks, trains, and following safety rules.
Restoration work -: Restoration work means fixing things that are broken. In this case, it means repairing the train tracks and coaches so trains can run again.