Kolkata - Train services resumed on the night of Monday, July 17 on the Rangapani-Chattarhat section in West Bengal where the Kanchenjunga Express train accident occurred, killing nine people. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has diverted 22 passenger trains from the accident stretch, including the New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express and the Silchar-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express itself.
The accident happened on June 17 when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express in NFR's Katihar Division on the Rangapani-Chattarhat section. NFR spokesperson Sabyasachi De stated that the diverted trains will cover an additional 26 km compared to the normal Rangapani-Chattarhat route in Darjeeling district.
While the Up line towards Guwahati was restored by 5:40 PM on June 17, the Down line towards Sealdah/Delhi was cleared at 7:30 AM on June 18, with the Avadh Assam Express being the first train to pass the site. However, most trains have been rerouted via Aluabari-Siliguri-New Jalpaiguri to reduce congestion and delays caused by the accident.
Six trains, including two Shatabdis, were cancelled, while the New Jalpaiguri-New Delhi Superfast Express was rescheduled. The ballast under the tracks takes 24 hours to stabilize before trains can run at normal speeds again.
The Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala reached Sealdah station in Kolkata around 3:16 AM today, delayed by 8 hours. Passengers were provided medical aid, food, and water at various stations during the journey. The state government also arranged transport for them from Sealdah.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim criticized the central government, alleging negligence and blaming their policies for the accident. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also slammed the center earlier over the alleged neglect of Railways.
