Mumbai-Howrah Train Derailment: Tragedy Strikes in Jharkhand

Mumbai-Howrah Train Derailment: In a tragic incident, the Howrah-Mumbai Mail Express derailed near Chakradharpur in Jharkhand on the early morning of July 30, 2024. The derailment, which occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m., resulted in the loss of two lives and left 20 others injured. This unfortunate event has once again raised concerns about railway safety in India.

Incident Details

The Howrah-Mumbai Mail Express had departed from Howrah on the previous night, with hundreds of passengers on board. As the train approached Chakradharpur, 18 coaches derailed, causing chaos and panic among the passengers. Immediate response teams, including Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) and additional railway management staff, rushed to the site to manage the situation and provide aid to the injured.

Response and Rescue Operations

Rescue operations were swiftly initiated, with ARME teams and railway officials arriving at the scene shortly after the incident. Medical teams provided immediate assistance to the injured, and arrangements were made to transport the affected passengers to nearby hospitals. The majority of passengers were transshipped to Chakradharpur station by bus, while a rescue train was dispatched to clear the remaining passengers.

Political Reactions and Accountability

The derailment has sparked a flurry of reactions from political leaders across the spectrum. TMC RS MP Susmita Dev criticized the central government, alleging an increase in rail accidents over the past decade under BJP rule. She questioned the government’s commitment to railway safety and demanded accountability.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore was equally critical, suggesting that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw would be remembered not for his contributions to the railways but for the numerous accidents during his tenure. He called for the minister to take responsibility and ensure substantial measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her frustration, labeling the incident as “shameful” and accusing the Railway Minister of neglecting his duties. She demanded accountability and emphasized the need for improved safety measures.

Broader Context and Concerns

This derailment is not an isolated incident. In the past few months alone, multiple train accidents have occurred across India, leading to loss of lives and injuries. Congress leader Ujjwal Raman Singh highlighted the frequency of such accidents, pointing out the government’s apparent lack of attention to railway safety.

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Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav also voiced his concerns, suggesting that the government seems more focused on setting records rather than ensuring passenger safety. He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s safety measures and budget allocations for railway infrastructure.

Train Services Affected

In the aftermath of the derailment, several train services were disrupted. The following trains were either cancelled or had their routes altered:

Cancellation of Trains:

• 22861 Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabanji Express
• 08015/18019 Kharagpur-Jhargram-Dhanbad Express
• 12021/12022 Howrah-Barbil-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express
• 18109 Tatanagar-Itwari Express
• 18030 Shalimar-LTT Express

Short Termination/Origination of Trains:

• 18114 Bilaspur-Tatanagar Express (terminated at Rourkela)
• 18190 Ernakulam-Tatanagar Express (terminated at Chakradharpur)
• 18011 Howrah-Chakradharpur Express (terminated at Adra)
• 18110 Itwari-Tatanagar Express (terminated at Bilaspur)

The Howrah-Mumbai train derailment near Chakradharpur is a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities in India’s railway system. As the nation mourns the loss of lives and prays for the injured, there is an urgent need for the government and railway authorities to address safety concerns and implement robust measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The calls for accountability and action are loud and clear, and it is imperative that these voices are heeded to ensure the safety and security of railway passengers.