Advertisement
Vizianagaram: At least 10 passengers killed and 32 others were injured after two trains collided in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. Due to the collision, two rear coaches of the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train and the train engine of the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger were derailed.
The passenger train was going to Rayagada from Visakhapatnam. On Sunday night, the 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger train collided with the 08532 Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train. According to preliminary information, the reason for the collision is suspected human error due to the overshooting of the signal by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada train.
After the incident, Collector and SP M Deepika and Minister Botsa Satyanarayana and other officials reached the spot and are supervising the rescue operations. East Central Railway CPRO said, “Bogies derailed after a train travelling along with passengers from Vizianagaram to Raigad hit a passenger train travelling on the same route from Visakapatnam to Palasa.”
Helpline numbers for Visakhapatnam Railway Station regarding train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle are the following:
Railway no: 83003, 83004, 83005 and 83006.
BSNL no: 08912746330 and 08912744619
Airtel: 8106053051, 8106053052
BSNL sim: 8500041670 and 8500041671
The East Coast Railway has released helpline numbers. “Helpline Number regarding Train Accident between Alamanda and Kantakapalle in Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Rly secn of Waltair Divn of ECoR in Howrah-Chennai Main Line. Bhubaneswar – 0674-2301625, 2301525, 2303069, Waltair – 0891- 2885914,” the East Coast Railway said in X post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office took to X and said, “PM Modi spoke to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate train derailment between Alamanda and Kantakapalle section.”
The X post said, “Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays that the injured recover soon.”
Speaking to media, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that rescue operations are underway, all have been rescued, and teams have been mobilised. The Railway Minister said,”PM Modi has reviewed the situation. I spoke to the Andhra Pradesh CM. The situation is currently under control.”
He added the Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased due to the train derailment. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 as financial aid. Accident Relief Trains and other rescue equipment have been dispatched and the Ministry of Railway has issued helpline numbers to assist with the rescue operations.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock over the Kantakapalli train accident incident in Vizianagaram district. The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of those dead in the Vizianagaram train accident. This financial aid is for people who are from Andhra Pradesh. The families of those who died and belonged to other states will be given Rs 2 lakh each.
The CMO said in a post on X,”The CM expressed deep shock over the Kantakapalli train accident incident in Vizianagaram district. He ordered the officials to take quick relief measures and ensure that the injured get prompt medical services.”
The Chief Minister advised to send as many ambulances as possible from the nearby districts of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli and make all kinds of arrangements to provide medical treatment in the nearby hospitals. The details regarding the incident should be reported to him from time to time. Passengers from Andhra Pradesh who are severely injured will get Rs 2 lakh each and passengers with serious injuries belonging to other states will get Rs 50,000 each.
President Droupadi Murmu said that she was anguished that the derailment of a passenger train in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh caused loss of lives. In a post on X, she said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also spoke to the Andhra CM and said that the situation is currently under control. The Chief Minister informed the Railway Minister about the steps taken to help the train accident victims. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the train accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, saying that “this is becoming a most unfortunate repetitive trope”.
