Vasco Da Gama-Patna Express Train Derails Near Banda in UP; Three Dead, 8 Injured

Patna, Nov 24: Three persons died and eight others were left injured on Friday as 13 coaches of Vasco Da Gama Patna Express train derailed near Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. The incident has affected the movement of trains on the route between Patna and Goa. “Prima facie the cause of accident looks like fractured Railway track as per local assessment,” UP ADG (law and order) said. (ALSO READ – Vasco Da Gama-Patna Express Derails in Uttar Pradesh: How Modern, Safer LHB Coaches Can Prevent Loss of Life)

The incident was reported at 4.18 am near Manikpur railway station in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh less than 12 hours after a Bolero had collided with a passenger train near Lucknow killing four and injuring two. Ministry of Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to kin of those killed and Rs 1 lakh for those injured.

“The injured have been rushed to the hospital and officials have left for the spot. Relief operations are underway,” North Central Railway PRO Amit Malviya told PTI. He further said that soon after the accident, a medical train reached the spot and by 5:20 am, an accident relief train was dispatched for the spot. The divisional railway manager (DRM), Allahabad has already reached the spot while the General Manager, NCR is on his way, he added. (ALSO READ – Swabhimani Express Train Runs on Wrong Route, Starts From Delhi For Maharashtra But Reaches Madhya Pradesh)

Indian Railway PRO Anil Saxena informed that the helpline numbers have been issued in connection with the derailment of Vasco Da Gama-Patna Express train derailment.

Helpline numbers:

Chunar – 05442-222487, 222137, 290049
Mirzapur – 05442-220095, 220096
Allahabad – 0532-2407353, 2408149, 2408128

In the wake of the increasing incidents of train derailments, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said he has asked officials not to entertain any requests — not even from him — for letting trains pass when maintenance work is being carried out because track renewal is essential for safety.
His order came after it was found that the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express, which derailed in Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh on August 19, was running on tracks which were under maintenance. Later, an enquiry also established that the work was being done without authorisation. (ALSO READ – Indian Railways to Use GPS-Enabled Fog Safety Devices to Ensure Timely Running of Trains)