Jalpaiguri, West Bengal - A horrific train accident unfolded in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal early Monday morning, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The Kanchanjunga Express, traveling from Agartala in Tripura to Sealdah in Kolkata, was violently struck from behind by a goods train near Rangapani station close to New Jalpaiguri.
The impact was catastrophic, derailing three coaches of the passenger train. Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos and panic as the screams of the injured mingled with the crunch of torn metal. Among the dead are 3 railway employees who were working aboard the trains. The current toll stands at 9 fatalities and over 25 serious injuries.
"It was like a bomb went off," recalled Rajesh Thapa, a shaken passenger. "One minute I was dosing, and the next there was a huge jolt and the sounds of grinding metal. People were flung from their seats as luggins rained down. The screaming was terrifying."
Authorities have rushed disaster response teams to the remote location to undertake rescue and relief efforts. Dr. Sanjay Mallik, heading the medical team, stated, "The priority is stabilizing the critical patients and transporting them to nearby hospitals as quickly as possible. Some have suffered grievous injuries and will require intensive care."
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and conveyed her government's commitment to the rescue operations. "All necessary resources have been mobilized. We will ensure the best possible medical care for the injured," she stated. The Railway Board chairperson has assured that the unaffected front portion will resume its journey soon to transport stranded passengers.
Preliminary investigations suggest the goods train overran a signal, slamming into the Kanchanjunga Express from the rear. "We are looking at all angles, but human error seems to be the primary cause based on initial evidence," stated Gautam Banerjee, a senior railway official coordinating the probe.
The nation has reacted with shock and sorrow over the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the bereaved families while announcing compensation of ₹2 lakh for the dead and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM's relief fund. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is en route to the site, has pledged ₹10 lakh compensation for the deceased and ₹2.5 lakh for those grievously hurt.
Opposition leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also expressed condolences while raising concerns over railway safety standards. "The Modi government has indulged in utter mismanagement of the railway ministry through PR events and self-promotion at the cost of core issues like safety and maintenance," alleged Kharge.
The Kanchanjunga Express, a beloved train for tourists headed to the hills of Darjeeling, was teeming with passengers seeking respite from the sweltering Bengali summer. For many, the journey turned into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions. 37-year-old Sunil Chhetri, who narrowly escaped with his life, wept, "I can't stop thinking about the cries of the people trapped in the mangled coaches. It was like a scene from hell."
As recovery efforts continue at the remote accident site, a pall of gloom has descended on the local communities. Villagers from nearby areas have joined the rescue efforts, providing food, water, and additional manpower to crisis personnel. However, for the grieving families, no amount of aid can compensate their heart-rending loss.
Train accidents of this magnitude are devastating reminders of the importance of rail safety protocols and robust infrastructure maintenance. With a rising annual rail traffic, India's aging railway network continually exhibits signs of stress. Experts have long advocated for modernizing signaling systems and replacing aging rolling stock and sections of tracks to prevent such preventable tragedies.
For now, the people of Bengal and the nation mourn the loss of innocent lives while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The haunting images of mangled train compartments serve as a grim reminder that ensuring rail safety should be an unwavering priority for all stakeholders.
