A major train accident took place in Tamil Nadu on October 11, 2024 at around 8:30 p.m. The passenger train number 12578 from Mysore to Darbhanga Bagmati Express had a collision with a stationary goods train at Kavaraipettai railway station in Thiruvallur district near Chennai. As per latest reports, the train that was travelling at a speed of 75 kmph accidentally entered a loop line instead of the main line which led to the collision. At least 12 coaches of the passenger train got derailed leading to a major accident and also the parcel van caught fire that added to the panic of the people.
The train was carrying 1360 passengers when the accident took place and according to the latest information, 19 passengers have been reported injured while 4 passengers have suffered severe injuries. The injured passengers were taken to the nearby hospital swiftly and no deaths have been reported so far. The remaining passengers were transported to Dr. MGR Chennai Central railway Station through MTC buses at night. Later on 12 October morning, a special train was arranged from Chennai Station to take the passengers to the destination and necessary food as well as water was provided during the rescue operation.
According to R N Singh, General manager of the Southern railway, the express train was supposed to go through the main line and signals were also given for the same but it accidentally entered the loop line which caused the collision. The train staff explained that they felt a very heavy jerk before the train entered the loop line, also the pilot and loco pilot are both safe according to reports. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed concern and shock while assuring that the rescue operation is underway. He said
“The government is working fast in rescue and relief work. The injured are immediately taken to the hospital. A separate team is functioning to arrange food and travel facilities for the other passengers to return home. The fire department is engaged in the work of removing the accident train coaches. I am continuing to monitor the rescue operations,”
Currently, Restoration work is going on at the site of the accident where Southern Railway Officials as well as other departments are actively involved in bringing the situation to normal. It was informed that it would take around 24 hours for the restoration and train services to resume by Saturday evening. Due to the accident, 18 trains that were scheduled for October 12 have been cancelled and several have been rescheduled. Here are the rescheduled and diverted trains along with new timings and routes.
Diverter trains
- Train No. 12663 Howrah – Tiruchchirappalli Superfast Express (departed on October 10, 2024) is diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Villupuram, skipping Chennai Egmore and Tambaram.
- Train No. 12511 Gorakhpur – Kochuveli (departed on October 10, 2024) is diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, and Katpadi, skipping Dr. MGR Chennai Central.
- Train No. 22663 Chennai Egmore – Jodhpur Express (scheduled on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur.
- Train No. 22606 Tirunelveli – Purulia Superfast Express (departed on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Melpakkam, Renigunta, and Gudur, skipping Arakkonam and Perambur, with additional stoppage at Tiruttani.
- Train No. 12603 Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Hyderabad Express (scheduled on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur, skipping Sulurupetta and Nayadupetta.
- Train No. 17643 Chengalpattu – Kakinada Port Circar Express (scheduled on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur, skipping Gummidipundi, Sulurupetta, and Nayadupetta.
- Train No. 12669 Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Chhapra Ganga Kaveri Express (scheduled on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur.
- Train No. 12615 Chennai Egmore – New Delhi Grand Trunk Express (scheduled on October 12, 2024) is diverted via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur.
- Train No. 22306 Jasidih – SMVT Bengaluru Express (departed on October 11, 2024) is diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, and Melpakkam, skipping Perambur with additional stoppage at Tiruttani.
- Train No. 22605 Purulia – Tirunelveli Superfast Express (departed on October 11, 2024) is diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, and Melpakkam, skipping Perambur and Arakkonam, with additional stoppage at Tiruttani.
- Train No. 12841 Shalimar – Dr. MGR Chennai Central Coromandel Express (departed on October 11, 2024) is diverted via Gudur, Renigunta, and Arakkonam.
Rescheduled and Diverted:
- Train No. 12656 Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Ahmedabad Navjivan Express (scheduled for October 12, 2024) is rescheduled to depart at 12:10 pm (2 hours late) and will run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur, skipping Sulurupetta.
Rescheduled Only:
- Train No. 03326 Coimbatore – Dhanbad Express Special (scheduled for October 12, 2024) is rescheduled to depart at 12:15 am on October 13, 2024 (delayed by 11 hours and 20 minutes).
Helpline numbers have also been provided for passengers:
- Chennai Division:
044 25354151
044 25330952
044 25330953
044 24354995 - Samastipur: 06274-81029188
- Darbhanga: 06272-8210335395
- Deendayal Upadhyay Junction: 7525039558