In a tragic railway accident, one person lost died and eight others sustained injuries after the Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derailed near Nergundi railway station in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Sunday. The train was en route from Bengaluru to Assam’s Kamakhya station in Guwahati when the accident occurred at 11:54 AM.
Rescue Operations Underway
According to District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, the injured passengers were referred to hospitals for medical treatment. “One person has died in the incident. Eight people injured needed a referral and have been shifted. An enquiry is being conducted,” he was quoted by a news agency.
Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Fire Service, rushed to the scene. Senior railway officials are overseeing relief and restoration efforts on the affected railway stretch.
Disruption in Rail Services
The derailment caused the diversion of three trains—Dhauli Express, Neelachal Express, and Purulia Express—leading to travel disruptions. East Coast Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Ashok Kumar Mishra confirmed that a relief train was being arranged to transport stranded passengers to their destinations.
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To assist passengers and their families, the Indian Railways has set up two helpline numbers: 8455885999 (Bhubaneswar) and 8991124238 (Cuttack).
Assam CM Confirms No Casualties from Assam
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured that no passengers from Assam had died in the accident. However, two individuals—Willson Digal from Udalguri and Amiran Nisha from Baksa—were injured and are currently receiving medical care. “Both are out of danger,” he said in a statement.
This derailment has once again raised concerns over railway safety in India. With several major train accidents occurring in recent years, authorities continue to face challenges in ensuring passenger safety on long-distance routes. The Indian Railways is expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the derailment.
Passengers are advised to check official updates for alternative travel arrangements. The Railways has assured that restoration work is progressing on a war footing.
