West Bengal train accident july 19

KOLKATA: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said there was "some doubt" over the West Bengal train accident in which at least 49 people were killed.

The speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express from the rear at Sainthia station in West Bengal's Birbhum district early Monday morning.

Banerjee told reporters while leaving for the accident site: "We have some doubt in our mind. We are searching for information. Let us now find details."

Describing it as "a sad incident", she said: "Human lives are very important."

The minister said: "We are really sorry for this. Sorry to see two incidents take place in West Bengal in two months."

"Whatever happens is not (a) casual thing. We will take necessary action. We will take strong steps whoever is behind this."

On May 28, 148 people were killed when the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express derailed following Maoist guerrillas sabotaging the tracks near Jhargram in West Midnapore district. A speeding freight train then rammed into the derailed coaches.
West Bengal train accident july 19


Sainthia, West Bengal: Forty-nine people are feared dead in a train collision in West Bengal, near the Jharkhand border. Over 170 people have been taken to hospital, some are said to be in critical condition.

At around 2 am on Monday, the Uttar Banga Express coming in from New Cooch Bihar to Sealdah rammed a stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in Virbhum district, 191 kms from Howrah.



Casualties are feared in two general second class bogies of the Vananchal Express. These coaches and the luggage van and guard van of the train were hit. A local television channel said so severe was the impact that the roof of a bogey had been detached in the collision and was thrown up on an overbridge.

Relief operations are on and around 32 bodies have reportedly been removed from the wreckage. The Army has also been called in for rescue operations. Seven Army officers and 145 jawans have been sent to the site. Equipment like gas cutters are being used to bring people out of the mangled heaps that the bogies are. More gas cutters are being brought from Panagarh and Kachhrapara to extricate bodies trapped in the mangled coaches. The focus is on saving lives and the locals in the area have been helping in rescue work. There are some people coming out unscathed from the wreckage

Eastern Railway CPRO, Samir Goswami said a few trains - the Kanchunjunga Express, the Sealdah bound Darjeeling mail and the Kanchankanya Express had been diverted.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was in Delhi and rushed to the spot as did senior officials.

Questions are being raised on how the two trains were on the same line. Also, the scheduled arrival and departure of the Uttar Banga Express at Sainthia was 1.38 am and 1.39 am and it was not clear why the train, which was to halt at the station, arrived at a high speed. An inquiry headed by the Commissioner, Railway Safety has been ordered into the incident, the PRO of the Railways Ministry said.

Control rooms have been opened in Sealdah, Malda, Bhagalpur and Howrah.

Helpline numbers:

Ranchi: (0651) 2600263/64, 2460488, 2461404
Sealdah: (033) 23503535, 23503537,
Malda: (06436) 222061
Bhagalpur: (06412) 4222433
Jamalpur (063444) 3101
(With PTI inputs)


Did human error cause Bengal train accident?

Kolkata: West Bengal woke up to the news of another train accident on Monday morning, this time in Sainthia near the Jharkhand border. The Uttar Banga Express rammed a stationary Vanachal Express at Sainthi station hitting the rear coaches of the train.

Fifty people are feared dead, the driver of the Uttar Banga Express was killed as was the guard of the Vanachal Express.

Several questions are being raised. Was it a signal error or communication error that caused the accident?

The allowed speed at the time that the Uttar Banga Express entered the station was 20 kmph and the driver may have missed that yellow signal and not reduced speed.


The train was scheduled to arrive at Sainthia at 1.38 am and leave at 1.39 am after a minute's halt, and so should not have been entering the station at a high speed.

Also, it is not clear why the two trains on the same line? The Vanachal Express was running late by several hours and was leaving the station when the collision occurred. So why was the Uttar Banga not switched to another line?

Questions that shall now be answered after the inquiry that shall no doubt be ordered into the tragedy.


Compensation of Rs 5 lakh for train accident victims: Mamata

Kolkata: Over 50 people are feared dead in a train collision in West Bengal, near the Jharkhand border.

At around 2 am on Monday, the Uttar Banga Express coming in from New Cooch Behar to Sealdah rammed a stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in Virbhum district, 191 kms from Howrah.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot as did senior officials.
"It is sad that two such incidents happened in last two months. I am leaving fort the accident site. We will take all necessary steps for relief. Forty nine people have died in the accident. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given," she said at the Kolkata airport.


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/compensation-of-rs-5-lakh-for-train-accident-victims-mamata-38305?cp