Further to the Breaking news earlier reported, A tragic collision occurred on Monday morning between a goods train and the Kanchanjunga Express on the busy route connecting Kolkata's Sealdah station and New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri. The accident, which took place in West Bengal's Darjeeling district, resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left at least 60 others injured.
What Led to the Collision?
Investigations have identified two main factors that likely caused the collision between the goods train and the Kanchanjunga Express.
1. Missing Kavach System
One of the significant reasons for the collision was the absence of the Kavach system, an Indian-developed safety mechanism designed to prevent accidents when two trains are on the same track. Reports indicate that the Kavach system was not installed on the tracks in Darjeeling where the collision occurred. Following the crash, an old video of Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the Kavach system has gone viral, highlighting its importance. Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman of the Railway Board, stated that plans are underway to install the Kavach system on the Delhi-Guwahati route, covering over 6,000 km of tracks by next year, with Bengal included in the 3,000 km set to receive this protection within the year.
2. Goods Train Overshot Signal
The second contributing factor was the goods train overshooting a signal. Officials confirmed that the goods train had missed the signal and subsequently rammed into the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express. Among the deceased were the pilot and co-pilot of the goods train, as well as the guard of the passenger train.
Impact on Train Services
In the aftermath of the collision, 19 trains have been cancelled. The affected trains include:
This incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and systems across India's railway network to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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