Howrah-Mumbai Express derails in Jharkhand’s Chakradharpur, injuring 6

In the early hours of Tuesday, the Howrah-Mumbai Express derailed near Jharkhand’s Chakradharpur division, causing minor injuries to six passengers. The derailment occurred around 3:43 am between Rajkharswan West Outer and Barabamboo.

According to officials, several passenger coaches, one power car, and one pantry car were derailed due to the incident. Initial reports suggest that a goods train coming from the opposite direction derailed, impacting the Howrah-Mumbai Express. Railway officials have stated that the incident is not considered major, and an investigation is underway.

All injured passengers received first aid from the Railway medical team, and arrangements have been made to transport all passengers to Chakradharpur by bus.

Helpline numbers have been issued for assistance:

• Mumbai: 022-22694040
• Nagpur: 7757912790
• Bhusawal: 08799982712

This is the seventh train derailment in the last 2 weeks alone, as detailed below.

• 18 July: Gonda
• 19 July: Valsad
• 20 July: Amroha
• 21 July: Alwar
• 21 July: Nadia
• 26 July: Bhubaneswar
• 30 July : Chakradharpur

On July 18, the Dibrugarh Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda, resulting in four fatalities and around 20 injuries. Additionally, a goods train derailed near Amroha railway station on July 21, disrupting the Delhi-Lucknow rail line but causing no injuries. Another incident involved the Kanyakumari Express derailing in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram on July 24, leading to minor injuries to several passengers.

Train derailments have become so common now, it barely causes a dent in our collective consciousness. It is truly sad to see a complete lack of accountability and responsibility on the part of authorities, and one can only hope mechanisms are put in place to prevent such derailments and tragedies from happening in the future.