The death toll in the Bilaspur train accident stood at 11, with 20 others injured, as rescue operations concluded by 5.30 am Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 4 pm in the Lalkhadan area when a passenger train heading towards Bilaspur railway station rammed into a stationary goods train a few kilometres from the city. The impact caused the passenger train’s engine to mount the goods train.
Passengers were the first responders, helping with the rescue through the night. The operation involved over 100 personnel from central and state agencies, with a massive crane used to cut into the train to rescue passengers.
The incident caused delays to several trains in the Bilaspur division. Railway officials said down movement on the main line resumed at 6.16 pm, while other lines took longer to be restored. By 5.30 am, the line was fully functional, they added.
Five of the victims have been identified as Vidya Sagar, 53, loco pilot of the passenger train; passengers Lovkush Shukla, 41; Ranjeet Prabhakar, in his early 40s; Shila Yadav, 25; and Priya Chandra, 21. The remaining victims are yet to be identified.
Among the 20 injured are the assistant loco pilot of the passenger train, the train manager, and a guard of the goods train. A toddler was also injured.
In a press notification, the Commission of Railway Safety announced a statutory inquiry under the Indian Railways Act.
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“The inquiry pertains to the rear-end collision between the Gevra Road–Bilaspur MEMU local (68733) and a goods train (N/MDIT) on the Gautaura–Bilaspur section of Bilaspur Division. This investigation will commence in the office of Divisional Railway Manager, Bilaspur, and will continue till completion,” the notification said.
It further stated: “Any person having information regarding this accident and willing to give evidence can appear and give evidence on the above-mentioned date and place, or send information in writing to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, New Koilaghat Building (12th Floor), 14, Strand Road, Kolkata 700001, or email to crssec@er.railnet.gov.in.”
