In a tragic railway accident, two persons were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision between two NTPC-operated goods trains in Jharkhand’s Sahebganj district early Tuesday morning.
The collision occurred at around 3 AM near Bhognadih in Barhait police station area, officials said. The tracks where the incident took place are privately owned by NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and are primarily used for transporting coal to its power plants.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kishore Tirkey confirmed the fatalities, stating, “The drivers of both the goods trains were killed in the head-on collision.”
Tracks Owned by NTPC, Not Indian Railways
Eastern Railway spokesperson Kausik Mitra clarified that the accident did not involve Indian Railways infrastructure. “The goods trains and the tracks belong to NTPC. It has nothing to do with the Indian Railways,” Mitra said.
The NTPC Lalmatia MGR line, where the accident took place, serves as a crucial coal transport link between the Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district and the Farakka Power Plant in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.
Indian Railways Extends Support for Rescue and Restoration
Following the incident, NTPC sought assistance from the Malda Division of Eastern Railway, requesting a 140-tonne crane for rescue and restoration efforts.
A statement from the railways confirmed, “The NTPC sought help from Malda Division and requested for a 140-tonne crane from Malda Division of Eastern Railway, and it has been arranged from Sahibganj.”
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“Indian Railways is extending all possible help to NTPC authorities required for restoration,” the statement added.
Investigation and Restoration Efforts Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Meanwhile, restoration work is in progress, with emergency teams deployed to clear the wreckage and resume normal operations on the affected track.
The Sahebganj train collision raises concerns over safety protocols on privately operated railway lines, prompting questions about NTPC’s railway operations and accident prevention measures.
As officials work towards restoring normalcy, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of stringent railway safety measures, especially on dedicated freight corridors operated by private and public sector enterprises.
