Derailment of Kamayani Express and Janta Express near Harda in Madhya Pradesh

The derailment of Train No. 11071 Dn (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Varanasi) Kamyani Express and Train No. 13201 Up (Rajendra Nagar – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) Janta Express took place between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations on Khandwa – Itarsi, Broad Gauge / Double Line/Electrified/B Route section of West Central Railway at about 23.30 hrs. on 04.08.2015. The accident site is around 32 km of Harda in Madhya Pradesh. While the Train No. 11071 Dn Kamayani Express was on run in block section between Khirkiya and Bhirangi Stations, its 11 coaches derailed due to track wash out. At the same time, Train No. 13201 Up Janta Express which was coming from opposite direction on Up track, also derailed at nearby place.

As per available information, 12 passengers lost their lives and 25 sustained injuries in this unfortunate incident.

The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu when informed about the accident; started monitoring the situation right from the midnight at regular intervals. He directed railway officials to gear up relief and rescue machinery in the most effective manner. He directed senior officials of West-Central Railway and Member Engineering Railway Board Shri V.K. Gupta to rush to the accident site. He also spoke to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh frequently starting from midnight and upto the morning hours of today in connection with coordination with the State Administration regarding the relief and rescue operation. The Railway Minister throughout the night maintained the connect with the public using his twitter handle to assure them about the best possible relief and rescue operations. After completing his parliamentary duty of making a statement about the accident in Parliament today which is in session these days, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu and his colleague Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha rushed to the accident site to take stock of the situation. DRM/BPL with Sr. DEN (Co), Sr. DME (Co), Sr. DSTE (Co), Sr. DSO, Sr. DME(Dsl), Sr. DSTE from Bhopal Division and GM/WCR with PCE, CSO, CBE, CEDE/WCR from Jabalpur Headquarters have visited the accident site to look after the relief and rescue operation.

Accident Relief trains along with Accident Relief Medical Van (ARMV) / Itarsi was immediately dispatched from Itarsi which reached Bhirangi station at 02.20 hrs. ARMV/Bhusawal also reached Khirkiya station at 03:25 hrs Divisional Railway Manager, Bhopal reached the site with branch officers to supervise the relief and rescue efforts. General Manager, West Central Railway, along with Zonal Headquarter officers also rushed to the site immediately. An NDRF Team was also mobilized from Bhopal to assist in the relief and rescue operation. The District Administration also assisted in relief and rescue work.

Shri Suresh Prabhu and Shri Manoj Sinha have expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in this unfortunate and tragic accident.

On humanitarian grounds, an enhanced ex-gratia payment of Rs.2 lakh in case of death, Rs. 50 Thousand for grievous injuries (if any) and Rs.25 Thousand in case of simple injuries has been announced.

The Prima-facie cause of the incident is stated to be ‘flash flood due to heavy rains’.

However, statutory inquiry into this incident has been ordered to be conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Central Circle, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Stranded passengers of both the affected trains were later cleared towards their respective destinations. They were also provided with drinking water and snacks at Itarsi Junction by the Railway Administration. Due to this accident, the traffic on Itrasi – Khandwa Section has been badly affected and Railways had to divert, short-terminate and cancel certain trains on this Section which are being notified by the respective Zonal Railways. The work on restoration of track in the affected section is continuing on the war-footing at the accident site.