A train ran off the tracks in West Bengal, killing at least two people and injuring six, a railways spokesman said yesterday, reviving concerns about safety just weeks after a crash that killed about 150 people.
India’s state-run rail system, the world’s fourth-largest and a lifeline for millions of poorer travellers, has struggled under growing demand and a lack of investment in upgrades.
The Capital Express train, travelling from the eastern city of Patna to the northeastern city of Guwahati, left the tracks in the district of Alipurduar late on Tuesday, the spokesman said.
“A full investigation will take place,” Anil Saxena said.
About 150 of stranded passengers were taken back to Alipurduar by the Kamakhya-Alipurduar Intercity Express.
The unaffected portion of the 19 coach train was detached and it resumed its journey at 5.10am yesterday after completion of rescue and relief operation, and reached Guwahati station at 11am with the remaining passengers.
The cause of the accident was overshooting of signal by the driver, the railways said in a statement.
“Preliminary investigation shows the red signal was overlooked by the driver,” a railway official said.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered a “thorough inquiry” to fix responsibility.
At least three trains were cancelled, two terminated and eight trains were diverted following the accident.
India’s deadliest rail crash in years on November 20 prompted a request from the railways to the finance ministry for about $17.5bn to set up a dedicated safety fund, in addition to record investment pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to modernise the network.
Villagers gather where the Capital Express train derailed at Samuktala Road station in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal yesterday.
