India: Train traffic restored after Kavaraipettai accident

World Sunday 13/October/2024 07:36 AM
By: ANI
India: Train traffic restored after Kavaraipettai accident

Tiruvallur: The Southern Railways said that the train traffic in the section was restored "in record time" on Saturday after the October 11 accident in Tamil Nadu's Kavaraipettai where the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derailed after ramming into a stationary goods train.

In a post on X, the Southern Railways said that Nizamuddin - Dr MGR Chennai Rajdhani Express passed through Kavaraipettai Railway Station UP Mainline on Saturday night resuming services in the section.

"Kavarapettai Restoration Work UPDATE: At 21:05 hrs, Train No. 12434 Nizamuddin - Dr MGR Chennai Rajdhani Express passed through Kavaraipettai Railway Station UP Mainline. Hence train traffic was restored in the section in record time after the accident," the post mentioned.

However, restoration work is still ongoing on the downline.

Earlier in the day, an investigation team arrived at the accident. The team of officials inspected the site and assessed the situation.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Anant Madhukar Chowdhary, inspected the accident site.

"Despite the serious incident, we are fortunate not to have any casualties. A few suffered minor fractures, and they are receiving treatment. All will be discharged from the hospital by evening. Restoration will be completed by tonight," Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh said while speaking to reporters.

A Southern Railway official said all passengers had been rescued and the injured were being treated. "All passengers have been rescued and either moved to Chennai Central to board a special train to Darbhanga this morning or taken to hospitals. Among the injured, three grievously injured passengers were admitted to Stanley Medical College Hospital, and four passengers with minor injuries were treated at the Government Hospital in Ponneri and were given ex-gratia payments as per norms," Senior Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway, D Om Prakash, said.

According to officials, the stranded passengers of Train No. 12578 Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express, which met with the accident at Kavaraipettai in Chennai Division around 8:30 p.m. on October 11, 2024, were transported by buses to Ponneri and Chennai Central by two EMU Specials in the early morning.

A high-level inquiry has been ordered by the Railway into the accident. Several trains were rescheduled and diverted due to the accident.