Highlights:
- Eleven people lost their lives when a passenger train hit a goods train near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening.
- Authorities are still trying to rescue two to three passengers trapped inside a damaged coach, and they are cutting it open to get them out.
- The last bogie of the goods train hit the first bogie of the passenger MEMU local train.
- The government has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for the seriously injured.
- The Railway Safety Commissioner will conduct a detailed inquiry to find out the causes of the accident.
Eleven Die in Bilaspur Train Crash
Eleven people were killed in a crash between a passenger train and a goods train close to Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening. Several others were injured in the accident. Two to three passengers trapped inside a damaged coach are still being rescued by the authorities. Rescuers are opening the train coach to get them out.
Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal elaborated on the incident of the crash. The last wagon of the goods train hit the first wagon of the passenger train. Officials said they will offer more information after they get the full details of the incident. The passenger service involved was a MEMU local train that runs regular routes in the area.
Government Announces Help for Victims
The South East Central Railway announced that it would provide compensation to the victims and their families. The families of the deceased will be given Rs 10 lakh. People with heavy injuries will get Rs 5 lakh. Those who have suffered minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh. A railway spokesperson said, “Relief and rescue operations were initiated immediately after the mishap.”
Top railway officials went to the site of the accident to supervise the rescue operations. Medical teams have moved the injured passengers to the different hospitals in the nearby areas. The railway administration is offering every possible assistance and is cooperating with the passengers who have been affected. The Inspector General of Railway Safety will look into the matter thoroughly to find out the cause and suggest measures that will prevent such accidents in the future.
Chief Minister and Leaders React
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai termed the accident as very sad news. After being informed of the incident by the Bilaspur District Collector, the CM gave a prompt response, issuing instructions for help and relief work to be carried out. “We, the state government, stand with the affected families in these difficult times,” CM Sai said in his statement.
CM further said that both the railway and government teams immediately started relief operations upon learning about the incident. Medical teams are ensuring that all the injured passengers receive proper treatment and have access to all the necessary resources. “The state government is keeping a close watch on the situation and is very prompt and sensitive in its approach,” he tweeted on the X social media platform.
Raman Singh, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has also expressed his sorrow over the incident. The ex-CM said that the news of a collision between a goods train and a passenger train at a point near Lal Khadan Railway Station is very sad. He felt heartbroken on hearing reports of the derailment of coaches and the death and injury of the passengers. “I do ask God to shower peace upon the souls of the unfortunate ones in this accident and provide the families of the victims with the strength and solace during this tragic time”, Singh wrote on X. Besides that, he also wished for the prompt recovery of all the injured passengers.
FAQs
Q: How many people lost their lives in the train accident at Bilaspur?
A: Eight people were killed in the event when a passenger train collided with a goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening.
Q: Are there still people trapped inside the train?
A: Yes, there are two to three people trapped inside the damaged coach. Rescue workers are cutting the coach open to release them.
Q: What are the victims going to receive as compensation?
A: The deceased families will be given Rs 10 lakh, seriously injured passengers will be given Rs 5 lakh, and those with minor injuries will get Rs 1 lakh from the railway department.
Q: What led to the Bilaspur train collision?
A: According to the district collector, the last bogie of a goods train violently hit the first bogie of a MEMU passenger train near Bilaspur station.
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