• Source:JND
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Bilaspur Train Accident: The South East Central Railway on Wednesday said the death toll in the Bilaspur train accident has risen to 11, and 20 injured people have been getting treatment at a hospital. The railway authorities also said that the operations have resumed at the site, near Bilaspur station, where an MEMU train collided with a stationary goods train yesterday, killing at least 11 and injuring several others. Around 4 pm, the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) passenger train rammed into a goods train from behind near Bilaspur station, leaving its first coach (engine assembled coach) climbing onto the cargo wagon with a thunderous jolt.

Overshooting Red Signal By Passenger Train Likely Cause: Railway Board

Meanwhile, Hours after trains' collision, the Railway Board said the accident took place as the passenger train seems to have overshot a red signal. The collision took place around 4 pm when the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) train was heading to Bilaspur from Gevra in neighbouring Korba district.

The passenger train rammed into the goods train from behind between Gatora and Bilaspur stations. Passing Signal at Danger by MEMU train seems to be the reason in the preliminary assessment by railway authorities, a press note from the Railway Board stated.

Here Are Other Key Factors

1. The Railway Administration has taken swift action to initiate relief and rescue operations on a war footing. Senior officials have reached the site and closely monitored the situation.

2. According to the Railway Board, ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh to those grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh to those with minor injuries have been announced.

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3. A detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted at the level of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to ascertain the exact cause and recommend necessary corrective actions. Emergency contact numbers of Bilaspur 7777857335, 7869953330; Champa 8085956528, and Raigarh 9752485600.

4. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, said, "A train accident took place near Bilaspur. The rescue operation is underway. This is very sad news. Rs 5 lakhs will be provided to the family members of the deceased. The injured will be given free treatment, and Rs 50,000 will also be given to them."

5. Sanjay Agrawal, DC, Bilaspur said, "16-17 people are in serious condition. This is a big accident. Everyone is present here and we are carrying out rescue operations."

6. Congress leader and ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel said, "The train accident that happened in Bilaspur is very tragic. The government is only busy transporting coal. Because of this, the citizens here are dying. Today, the value of a human life has become even less than coal."

7. The survivors of the accident shared their horrific experiences. Moments before the collision, Sanjeev Vishwakarma (35), a passenger, was scrolling through his phone, while some passengers were busy chatting, and some were dozing off, unaware that within seconds, their journey would turn into a nightmare.

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8. For Vishwakarma, a resident of Bilha (Bilaspur), what began as a routine return trip from his in-laws' house in Akaltara ended in chaos and screams. He is a vehicle driver."I was sitting in the first coach. There were about 16-17 of passengers, including men, women, and children. Suddenly, around 500 metres after leaving Gatora, the train shook violently and crashed into something. There was a thunderous sound followed by people's screams...Then everything went dark," he recalled.

9. "When I opened my eyes, I was pinned under the seat. People were crying for help. My coach had climbed onto the goods train. I saw bodies right in front of me. Three people, including a woman, died. Their faces still haunt me," he said, lying on his hospital bed.

10. Mohan Sharma, a marketing professional from Raipur, had boarded the train from Champa (in neighbouring Janjgir-Champa district). "I had planned to go to Raipur by Link Express train, but the train was late so I thought I would save time by taking this (MEMU) train. Although I de-boarded this train, thinking of once again taking the Link Express but again boarded the same," he said.

(With agencies inputs)

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