Guwahati: Normal train operations have resumed on both the Up and Down main lines at Digaru railway station following the derailment of the Kolkata-Sairang Express on Wednesday morning. However, rerailing work on the affected coaches is still underway, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said.
Train No. 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed at around 6:54 am on November 11 while entering Digaru station, located approximately 44 km from Guwahati. The train was being received at the station to give precedence to another service when its locomotive and five coaches went off the tracks.
The incident disrupted train movement on both lines until restoration work enabled operations to resume. Trains held up at various locations are now gradually continuing their journeys.
According to NFR, all passengers are safe and no major injuries have been reported. However, eyewitnesses claimed that several passengers sustained injuries.
A special train was arranged to transport stranded passengers to their destination in Sairang. It departed from Digaru at 11:40 am. During the wait, passengers were provided with drinking water and food.
The General Manager of NFR, along with other senior officials, visited the accident site to oversee restoration work. Relief and rescue operations were initiated immediately after the derailment.
NFR attributed the incident to the loco pilot’s inability to control the train’s speed while entering the station. However, the loco pilots reportedly claimed brake failure in a video shared shortly before the derailment. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be formally established.
The derailment also disrupted two local train services. Train No. 15769 Alipurduar Junction-Mariani Junction Intercity Express was short-terminated at Kamakhya.
Meanwhile, the Guwahati-Haibargaon-Guwahati DMU services, operating under Train Nos. 75727 and 75728, were cancelled.
NFR issues emergency helpline numbers
The Northeast Frontier Railway has activated emergency helplines at several stations to assist passengers and their families.
The contact numbers are:
- Katihar: 9002041806, 9002041952, 9771441956
- Kishanganj: 06456226794, 06456226795
- New Jalpaiguri: 6287699880
- Guwahati: 03612731621, 2731622, 2731623
- Lumding: 03674263858, 265958, 263831
- Badarpur: 03843269546, 269548, 268424, 269547
- Silchar: 03842245414, 245419, 245423
NFR said train operations had returned to normal on both main lines, while work to rerail the derailed coaches continued.