Kolkata-Sairang Express Derails at Digaru Station; Passengers Safe
The Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed at Digaru Station in Assam. All passengers are safe, and alternative transport is being arranged.
A wave of panic swept through the passengers of the Kolkata-Sairang Express on Wednesday morning when the train derailed at Digaru Railway Station in Assam's Kamrup (Metro) district. Despite the locomotive and five coaches jumping the tracks, authorities have confirmed a major relief: all passengers are safe, and no injuries or casualties have been reported.
The incident involving Train No. 13125 occurred at approximately 6:54 am as the express was entering the station. According to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the derailment happened while the train was attempting to slow down to give precedence to the Jan Shatabdi Express. It appears the loco pilot was unable to control the train's speed in time to come to a controlled stop at the station.
Restoration and Passenger Assistance
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, noted that the low speed of the train during the mishap likely prevented a more serious tragedy. To mitigate the inconvenience, the railway administration is arranging an alternative train from Guwahati to ensure that all passengers can continue their journey to Sairang safely.
The derailment has also caused ripple effects across the regional rail network, forcing the Guwahati-Jorhat Town Jan Shatabdi Express and the Coimbatore-Silchar Express to be held at different stations to manage traffic. Senior railway officials are currently on-site to monitor the restoration of the tracks and to launch a formal investigation into why the speed could not be regulated.
The experience on board was harrowing for those caught in the middle of the chaos. A pantry car manager described the moment the train lost stability while crossing the platform.
"Everything was fine until we reached Digaru. When we crossed the platform, there was a sudden sound, and I felt the engine derail. We moved for another kilometer in that state. I even fell from my seat several times," he said, adding that while the engine and power car were badly damaged, everyone survived the ordeal.
As relief and rescue operations continue, passengers at Digaru Station have been advised to move to alternative platforms where onward travel arrangements are being facilitated.