Three coaches of Secunderabad-Shalimar Superfast Express derail near Howrah; no casualties reported

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| Photo Credit: Anil Kumar Sastry

In the early morning of Saturday (November 9, 2024), three coaches of the 22850 Secunderabad–Shalimar Weekly Express derailed near Nalpur station in Kharagpur Division. No casualties or injuries were reported in the accident even though the train was packed with passengers. 

The derailment occured around 5.30 a.m. according to South Eastern Railway officials. One parcel van and two passenger coaches were derailed in this incident. The accident site is around 40 km away from Howrah, one of the largest railway junctions in Eastern India. 

According to South Eastern Railway officials, “All passengers of the derailed train have been evacuated and sent by 10 bus to their destinations. One Local train has also been arranged for transportation of passengers. Restoration process is in progress.” 

“Accident relief trains and medical relief trains have already reached the spot. Survey work is on. After sending all passengers to their destination we also begin restoration work,” Om Prakash Charan, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Eastern Railway said in an official statement after the accident. 

A railway help desk has been started at the Kharagpur Station for all emergencies. The relief has been arranged from Santragachi and Kharagpur stations.  

Passengers who were onboard the derailed train shared their ordeal and said, “Railway Police Force worked swiftly. Medical team reached us within a hour, they asked after all passengers.” But most passengers remained traumatised by the impact of the accident. 

Railway engineers and experts also reached the spot to inspect the accident site and determine the cause of the derailment. 

The train lines in this division remained affected till late in the day which delayed most trains in the South Eastern Division. Five trains were diverted, 17 were short terminated or short originated, four were cancelled. Passengers on other trains remained stranded for hours as railway services crawled back to normalcy through the day. 

Helpline numbers in the 22850 Secunderabad–Shalimar Weekly Express derailment accident –  

Kharagpur Help Desk number – Railway 63764, P&T 032229-3764