9 killed, over 40 injured as Kanchanjunga express collides with a goods train

New Delhi : At least nine people have been killed and over 40 have been injured as Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with a goods train from the rear in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, 11 km from New Jalpaiguri station. The incident took place at around 8:55 am on Monday.

Among the dead are loco pilot of the goods train, seven passengers and another railway staffer.

The impact was so powerful that three coaches at the rear of Kanchanjunga Express derailed between Rangapani and Chhatarhat stations, under the Northeast Frontier Railway zone.

Heavy rain in Siliguri since the morning disrupted the rescue work.

The Indian Railways, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force worked “in close coordination” to carry out the rescue, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee also headed to the spot and blamed Centre and Railways for not effectively installing Kawach in all trains to avoid such accidents.

"Accidents can happen; it's a fact. But where was the anti-collision device that I implemented when I was the Railway Minister? They call it by a different name today (Kavach). However, my priority is to provide a protective shield (raksha kavach) to passengers. This isn't a criticism, but it is a fact that there's no focus on passenger amenities," Banerjee said before departing for the accident site.

"Today, the Railway budget isn't presented separately. The department is not what it used to be. There is still a Ministry, but it has lost its luster. The Railways have become parentless. We see grand inaugurations and beautifications like fashion shows, but passengers and railway staff are neglected," she remarked.

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