A train accident took place on Sunday, January 26. Initial reports suggest that no injuries were reported.
Two coaches of the Tirupati-Shalimar Express and a coach of a parcel train derailed in a collision between empty trains near Padmapukur railway yard in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Sunday afternoon, officials said. The incident is under investigation to determine how the parcel van came onto the route of the coaches.
The accident took place between Shalimar and Santragachi stations when the empty trains were being taken to the yard by track. The incident is believed to have taken place while changing tracks.
“An inquiry has been ordered. Senior officials have visited the spot. Several trains will have to be rescheduled as the tracks are blocked,” a railway official said.
The official said, “one case of derailment occurred” when the parcel van hit two empty coaches of an express train at Padmapukur station – which were being taken to the railway siding – from one side.
“It is being investigated how the parcel van came in the route of the coaches midway and hit the empty coaches while changing tracks and whether the driver of the said parcel van ignored the signal. But it was not a major incident and railway traffic along the Shalimar-Santragachi stretch was only partially disrupted for 20 minutes,” the official said.
The derailment caused minimal disruption, delaying rail services for just 20 minutes. Restoration work is underway to clear the tracks and resume normal service.