Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express disaster LIVE: Passenger remembers “explosion” before train derailment, “felt strong jolt and…”

“Yet another train accident. This time the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express! The Indian Railways, the main mode of transport for millions of people, is no longer safe! Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Prime Minister Modi’s blue-eyed boy, is costing us lives!” said Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev.

“Another derailment in UP. Shame @AshwiniVaishnaw – Indian Railways in emergency room after 10 years of Jumla Sarkar. Kavach collision protection should be installed immediately on all routes in India. Total cost of just ₹63,000 Crore vs. ₹1,080,000 crore for the Mum Ahmd bullet train,” added Mahua Moitra.

“Two coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train have derailed. Two people have lost their lives and around 26 people have been injured… DM, SP and other officials are at the spot. Ambulances, three teams of SDRF and two teams of NDRF have been deployed… Helpline numbers have been issued. Rahat Helpline 1070 is activated 24×7… The rescue operation is nearing completion as all the coaches have been examined by the SDRF teams,” said Aditi Umrao, Lucknow Project Director and Relief Commissioner.

The Ministry of Railways said that a gratuity of Rs 1 million has been announced for the family of the deceased. ₹2.5 lakhs for serious injuries and Rs. 50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries.

The Ministry of Railways said a high-level investigation had been ordered in parallel with the CRS investigation.

According to an update from NDTV, the driver of the derailed passenger train claimed to have heard a loud noise before the accident.

“Failure of automatic signal, lapses at multiple levels in operational management and non-availability of essential safety equipment like walkie-talkies for train drivers and conductors are some of the reasons given in the inquiry report for the collision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Railway Minister, who leaves no opportunity for self-promotion, must take direct responsibility for the massive lapses that have plagued the Indian Railways,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

“The train derailed between Motiganj and Dhilai… 7 persons were injured, including 6 with minor injuries, and 2 persons died… Our priority is to complete the rescue operation as soon as possible so that the trains can run on the route again… A helpline number has been set up. A special train will take the passengers of this train to their destination… The railway team is at the spot to work on restoring the tracks,” said Pankaj Singh, CPRO of North Eastern Railway.

“Dr. Himanta Biswa has been informed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express train in Uttar Pradesh. HCM is monitoring the situation and the Government of Assam is in touch with the authorities concerned,” said an official press release from the Office of the Chief Minister of Assam.

“So far, two people have lost their lives in the incident. Around six people were seriously injured and were taken to hospital. Some others have minor injuries and are receiving first aid at the nearby CHC… The buses have been checked twice and no other people are trapped inside,” assured Gonda SP Vineet Jaiswal.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI that four people were killed in the accident. Meanwhile, the state’s Assistant Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar confirmed that 20 people were injured in the derailment.