Sabarmati Express Derails in UP: No Casualties, But Questions Raised on Indian Railway Safety

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In the early hours of Saturday, the Sabarmati Express derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen in Uttar Pradesh. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the incident caused significant disruption with seven trains cancelled and three diverted. Initial reports suggest that the derailment was triggered by a boulder striking the engine.
Sabarmati Express Derails

In the early hours of Saturday, the Sabarmati Express train traveling from Varanasi to Ahmedabad derailed near Bhimsen, a town located close to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The derailment occurred at approximately 2:29 AM, about half an hour after the train had departed from Kanpur Central station. While no casualties have been reported, several railway systems have been vandalized and other concerns have been raised about the state of railway safety in India.

The Incident: What Happened?

According to Indian Railways, the Sabarmati Express derailed after its engine hit an obstacle on the track. The preliminary investigation determines whether a rock struck the train, causing extensive damage to the cattle guard, which is the front of the train The train was moving slowly, which may have prevented serious consequences such as injury to the mouth of death. However, over 20 coaches derailed, causing considerable chaos and inconvenience for the passengers onboard.

Many passengers, who had been asleep when the incident occurred, were jolted awake by a loud noise and the sudden shaking of the train. 

Upon stopping, passengers exited their coaches and took refuge along the railway tracks while waiting for assistance. Emergency services arrived on the scene about an hour after the incident, and railway authorities promptly arranged buses and a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train to transport passengers to Kanpur Railway Station.

Railway Safety Measures and Investigations

The Sabarmati Express debacle has brought the urgency of rail safety back to India. India’s one of the world’s largest railway networks has seen several accidents in recent years. Often due to poor infrastructure management, inadequate maintenance, or human error, these incidents claim hundreds of lives and cause severe damage to the nation’s transportation system.

Railway Commissioner Ashwini Vaishnav addressed the incident in a statement on social media and confirmed that the derailment may have been caused by another object on the tracks. “The engine struck an object on and off the rails,” he wrote. The minister also disclosed that active signs of engine impact were found and evidence from the scene has been preserved for further analysis. Both the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police are actively investigating the cause of the derailment whether it was an accident or a deliberate act of vandalism.

A key point given by the loco pilot was that the locomotive’s cattle guard was severely damaged by the impact, which may have caused the train to derail. Such an obstruction, although rare, poses a serious risk to train safety, especially in busy areas.

Disruption of Rail Services

As a result of the derailment, the Indian Railways cancelled several trains and diverted others to minimize disruptions. The derailment has caused significant delays and inconveniences for passengers across the region. Authorities have arranged buses and a MEMU train to transport stranded passengers from the accident site to Kanpur Railway Station, ensuring their onward journeys are not severely hampered.

List of Canceled Trains:

  • Train 01823/01824: Varanasi Junction – Lucknow Junction (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 11109: Varanasi Junction – Lakhimpur (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 14110/14109: Kanpur – Chitrakootdham (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 22442/22441: (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 04143: Kuregaon – Kanpur (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 04144: Kanpur – Kuregaon (Cancelled on 17.08.24)
  • Train 01887/01888: Gwalior – Etawah (Cancelled on 17.08.24)

List of Diverted Trains:

  • Train 05326: Lokmanya Tilak – Gorakhpur (Diverted via Varanasi Junction – Gwalior – Bina – Etawah – Kanpur)
  • Train 20180/20181: Kanpur – Meerut (Diverted on 17.08.24)
  • Train 01814/01813: Kanpur – Varanasi Junction (Diverted on 17.08.24)
  • Train 01889/01890: Gwalior – Bina (Diverted on 17.08.24)
  • Train 11110: Lakhimpur – Varanasi Junction (Currently at Gorakhpur; diverted via Gorakhpur – Etawah – Bina – Gwalior – Varanasi Junction)
  • Train 22537: Gorakhpur – Lokmanya Tilak (Diverted via Gorakhpur – Etawah – Bina – Gwalior – Varanasi Junction)
  • Train 20104: Gorakhpur – Lokmanya Tilak (Diverted via Kanpur – Etawah – Bina – Gwalior – Varanasi Junction)

Efforts to Assist Stranded Passengers

Indian Railways promptly dispatched emergency services to aid the stranded passengers. Buses were arranged to transport passengers to Kanpur Railway Station, and an eight-coach MEMU train was deployed to carry passengers back to Kanpur so that further arrangements could be made for their onward journeys. Passengers waiting at the site were provided with immediate assistance, and authorities worked to clear the tracks for the resumption of normal services.

Passengers who were on the Sabarmati Express recounted the terrifying moments when the train came to a sudden halt following a loud noise. Many described waking up to the sound of screeching metal and feeling their coaches shake violently before coming to a stop. Fortunately, due to the relatively low speed of the train at the time of derailment, no injuries were reported.

Rising Concerns Over Train Accidents

The Sabarmati Express derailment is just one of the increasing number of train accidents in India in recent years. According to official data, more than 100 train-related accidents were reported in 2023 alone, many of which resulted in injuries and property damage. The incidents have led to increasing calls for the Indian government and railway authorities to invest in modernizing the country’s aging railways and improving safety measures.

One concern is the high rate of derailments, often caused by blockages, poor maintenance, or mechanical failure. In response, the Railways have initiated several initiatives to enhance railway safety, such as installation of improved signaling systems, periodic track inspections and quality a designed to reduce the risk of rail continuity.

While these measures have yielded some positive results, incidents like the Sabarmati Express derailment suggest that more needs to be done. Given the vital role of the railways in connecting the Indian mainland, ensuring safety of passengers and reducing the frequency of accidents must remain a top priority of government and railway authorities lead.

A Wake-Up Call for Indian Railways

The derailment of the Sabarmati Express near Kanpur may not have been catastrophic, but it has once again exposed weaknesses in the Indian Railways. While the investigation into the exact cause of the derailment continues, the incident is a reminder of the urgent need for safety, infrastructure, and the issues that make train accidents so common the country takes precedence.

For now, the focus is on ensuring affected passengers reach their destination safely and investigating the incident to prevent similar incidents in the future. The immediate response of the railway authorities to explore alternative routes and secure the site is commendable, but long-term solutions are needed to restore public confidence in the safety of Indian railways.

Helpline Numbers Released by Indian Railways

In the wake of the derailment, Indian Railways has released a series of emergency helpline numbers for passengers and their families to get updates on the situation and to seek assistance. The following helpline numbers have been provided for various railway divisions:

  • Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353
  • Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015
  • Mirzapur: 05442-2200097
  • Etawah: 7525001249
  • Tundla: 7392959702
  • Ahmedabad: 07922113977
  • Banaras City: 8303994411
  • Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088

For the Jhansi Rail Division, the following helpline numbers have been released:

  • Virangana Lakshmibai (Jhansi Jn): 0510-2440787, 0510-2440790
  • Orai: 05162-252206
  • Banda: 05192-227543
  • Lalitpur Jn: 07897992404

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