Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express mishap: 4 killed, Railway Minister reaches Patna
New Delhi/Patna: Twelve coaches of New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (12236) derailed near Golden Ganj station in Bihar early Wednesday. At least four passengers were killed and eight injured in the incident.
Five coaches – B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and pantry car – overturned as a result of the derailment, while seven other coaches – B-5 to B-10 and power car – got derailed near the station, about 75 kms from Patna, Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said.
The accident occurred at around 0200 hours between Chapra and Golden Ganj stations, minutes after the train left Chapra.
Saran Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar said: “Four passengers were killed and eight others were injured in the accident. All the injured were admitted to the hospital for treatment and some of them referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital in Patna”.
Kumar ruled out any sabotage or hand of Maoists behind the derailment of the Rajdhani Express train.
“It is an accident and a result of technical fault,” he said.
“About 500 metres of railway track was found uprooted, but no evidence of a blast or any other explosives recovered from the accident site,” Kumar added.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, refused to confirm the sabotage theory, saying it was too early to blame Maoists for the derailment.
In another crucial development, three timer bombs have been found 25 km from the spot where the train mishap took place.
Railway Board chief Arunendra Kumar said prima facie the cause for derailment seems to be sabotage by the Maoists. Railway Minister DV Sadanand Gowda also said that one of the reasons behind derailment could be sabotage.
Gowda expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap. He directed the Railway administration to render best possible treatment to the injured passengers. Describing it as a “very unfortunate incident”, Gowda announced that the Commissioner Railway Safety, Eastern Circle, will inquire into the matter. Gowda further informed that senior rail officials are at the site, and another train has been arranged for passengers of the ill-fated train.
