Kanchanjunga Express train accident: In a tragic incident on Monday morning, a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station, close to New Jalpaiguri, resulting in nine deaths and 41 injuries. The Kanchanjunga Express was enroute from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata when it was struck from behind by the goods train.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a combination of human error and signal failure contributed to the accident. The Railway Board’s initial report revealed that the goods train was operating under a defective automatic signalling system and exceeded speed limits at the time of the crash. The railways are yet to comment on this issue.
Railway protocol is signalling system fails
According to railway protocol, when the automated signalling system fails, train drivers must receive a written authority known as TA 912. This document allows them to pass red signals due to the defect, provided they follow strict safety measures. Both the Kanchanjunga Express and the goods train had been issued TA 912.
What is the TA 912 clearance
Under TA 912, drivers are required to stop for one minute at each defective signal and proceed at a maximum speed of 10 kmph, maintaining a 150-metre gap from the preceding train to ensure safety. However, the goods train driver did not adhere to these conditions.
The Kanchanjunga Express had cleared nine automatic signals with TA 912 and was waiting for further clearance when the collision occurred. The Railway Board noted that the goods train driver was authorised to cross all red signals between Rangapani and Chattarhat railway stations due to the signalling defect but was traveling at an excessive speed.
The goods train departed from Rangapani at 8:42 am and collided with the stationary Kanchanjunga Express at 8:55 am.
Effect of impact
The impact derailed the guard’s coach, two parcel coaches, and a general seating coach of the passenger train.
The driver of the goods train, who died in the crash, failed to follow mandatory speed restrictions, which led to the accident. In contrast, the Kanchanjunga Express driver adhered to safety norms, stopping at all red signals for one minute and proceeding at the prescribed speed of 10 kmph.
What the railway board said
The Railway Board stated that under normal conditions, a train encountering a red signal should stop for one minute during the day and two minutes at night, proceeding with extreme caution. Despite these regulations, the goods train exceeded the permissible speed, causing the fatal collision. The exact speed at which the goods train was traveling has not been disclosed.
Rescue operations concluded by late afternoon, with efforts to clear the derailed coaches and restore rail services ongoing. Several injured passengers were treated at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, with 41 remaining hospitalised, including nine in critical condition.
Compensation announced
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the site to oversee relief operations and announced compensation for the victims’ families: Rs 10 lakh for those who died, Rs 2.5 lakh for the grievously injured, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and prayed for the recovery of the injured. “The railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well,” PM Modi posted on X.
Political blame game
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Railway Ministry for neglecting passenger safety and failing to implement the anti-collision system effectively.
She accused the railways of prioritizing fare hikes over safety improvements. “The railways have become totally parentless. Though the ministry is there, the old glory is missing. Only beautification is being done, but they do not care about passenger amenities. They are only keen on hiking fares,” she said. “You will only see them talk big. They also do not take care of the railway officers, technical, safety, and security personnel. I am with the railway employees and officers.”
Governor CV Ananda Bose urged officials to prioritize treating the victims over engaging in blame games.
