- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Days after a devastating train collision in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, which claimed 11 lives and injured 20 more, a preliminary investigation has revealed that a dangerous combination of human error and misjudgment led to the tragic incident. The shocking revelation has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols and operational procedures in place within the rail network.
The incident took place on Tuesday when the Korba-Bilaspur Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near Lal Khadan, close to the Gatora Railway Station. The crash was so powerful that the passenger train went over a freight train, twisting the steel and tearing coaches apart.
How Did The Crash Take Place?
The MEMU train ignored a lot of caution and danger before it rammed straight into the freight train, a source was quoted as saying by NDTV. “The Memu train departed Gatora Station, it was running at 76 kilometers per hour (kmph) after receiving a green signal. It then crossed a double yellow and a single yellow signal. Both these signals warned the train to reduce speed, but it did not slow down,” he added.
The investigators confirmed that the train received a red signal moments before the collision, but did not stop there. As the investigations progressed, it was revealed that the loco pilot, Vidyasagar, operating the passenger train was promoted to passenger duty only a month earlier, a lack of experience that may have played a role in the tragedy.
Investigators feel that due to the lack of experience of Vidyasagar, he may have mistaken a signal from the adjacent line for his train, which led to the fatal accident. Vidyasagar perished in the crash, while his co-driver, the assistant loco pilot, Rashmi Raj, is fighting for her life at the hospital after sustaining severe injuries.
5-Member Committee Formed To Investigate The Matter
Meanwhile, a formal investigation started on Thursday, November 6, led by a five-member team headed by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Brijesh Kumar Mishra at the Bilaspur DRM office. The probe has so far summoned 19 railway employees and officials in connection with the accident. All the people have been asked to come up with detailed documents in relation with the accident.
The enquiry is set to go on for two days, and the detailed investigative report has to be submitted to the Railway Board within three days post the conclusion of the enquiry.
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Railway Officers Summoned: Here is a list of important railway officials who have been summoned in connection with the incident-
- Assistant Loco Pilot Rashmi Raj
- Goods Train Guard Sunil Kumar Sahu
- Assistant Loco Pilot Puneet Kumar
- MEMU Manager AK Dixit
- Goods Train Manager Shailesh Chandra