Goods train derails, rail traffic hit for almost 10 hours

Train services were disrupted after a goods train derailed near Kharagpur railway station late on Saturday night. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Around five coaches of a goods train derailed between Madpur and Jakpur in Howrah-Kharagpur section of South Eastern Railway at around 11 pm on Saturday leading to disruption for around 10 hours along with cancellation of various trains, a railway official said. Train services both in Up and Down lines were badly affected. Services in the Howrah-Kharagpur and Tatanagar-Kharagpur were the worst affected. Several local trains and a few long distance trains were also cancelled due to the accident. Howrah-bound Purulia and Adra Express trains were stranded till late night. Many other trains were also stranded at different stations. Railway engineers and senior officials were rushed to the spot and rescue operations and repair works were carried out on a war-footing. It was completed overnight and train services resumed in the Up line from Sunday morning. However, in the Down line, services were affected till Sunday afternoon.

Many trains in Howrah-Midnapore and Howrah-Kharagpur sections were also cancelled. Many long distance trains including Howrah-Mumbai Gitanjali Express, Coromondel Express, Howrah-Tirupati Express were rescheduled. Scores of passengers were stranded at Howrah station due to the accident.

According to a senior railway official, the movement of 11 pairs of local trains was also affected. Railway officials were trying to run at least eight pairs of local trains. Movements of South India and Odisha-bound long distance trains were delayed due to the derailment, a railway official added.