The Kolkata–Sairang Express, which was heading towards Mizoram, met with a derailment accident near Digaru railway station in Assam at around 6.54 am on Wednesday, November 11. Five coaches and the locomotive went off the tracks while the train was being received at the station, around 44 km from Guwahati, to give precedence to another train.
According to the Northeast Frontier Railway, the loco pilot was unable to control the train’s speed, resulting in the derailment. All passengers aboard the affected train were reported safe, with no major injuries. Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately, and arrangements were made to transport passengers to their destinations by an alternative train. A special train reached the site to carry stranded passengers onward, while drinking water and food were provided.
Among those travelling on the train were 10 teachers and 24 students from Darlawn Higher Secondary School, who had gone to Kolkata on an excursion. The total number of passengers travelling to Mizoram was not immediately known.
The General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, along with senior officials, proceeded to the site to oversee restoration work. The railway authorities said normal operations on the up line had been restored and trains on both up and down lines were running normally. Trains that had been held up at different locations were expected to resume their journeys gradually.
Following the derailment, the Alipurduar Junction–Mariani Junction Intercity Express was short-terminated at Kamakhya, while the Guwahati–Haibargaon–Guwahati DMU services were cancelled. Helpline numbers were also activated at different stations to assist passengers and their families.
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