The deadly collision between a goods train and a MEMU local near Gatora station under Bilaspur division on Tuesday afternoon has raised serious questions about the railway safety system. The Railway administration late Tuesday night officially confirmed the death of 11 passengers and reported that more than 20 others were injured. However, sources at the accident site indicated that the actual death toll may be higher, as several bodies remained trapped for hours in the mangled engine and damaged coaches, and some passengers have yet to be identified. Relief and rescue operations were launched immediately with the assistance of the district and police administration. All injured were shifted to Apollo Hospitals, District Hospital, Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and other hospitals in city.

 

The Railway administration has announced an ex-gratia payment of 50,000 to each injured passenger. The most tragic aspect of the mishap was the death of the MEMU loco pilot, Vidya Sagar. The impact was so severe that the front portion of the engine was completely destroyed, leaving both pilots critically injured. Rescue workers rushed them to Apollo Hospitals, where doctors declared loco pilot dead on arrival. Railway authorities have confirmed that he died on the spot. The female co-pilot, Rashmi Raj (34), sustained serious head and leg injuries and is undergoing treatment in the hospital, where her condition remains extremely critical. Doctors said she is battling for her life. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South East Central Railway (SECR) Sushkar Vipul Vilasrao stated that a detailed enquiry will be conducted at the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) level to determine the exact causes of the accident and recommend corrective measures.

 

The enquiry will examine whether the MEMU driver failed to notice the stationary goods train due to human error, signal failure, violation of speed limits, technical glitch in track clearance, or non-activation of the ‘armor system’ (Kavach) on the route. He added that all rescue and restoration works were completed by 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Following the mishap, the district administration announced the cancellation of the concluding function of Rajyotsav festivities. The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom across the city, with silence prevailing around the Bilaspur station area. Railway employees were seen mourning the loss of their colleagues, while concern over safety in train operations grew among the public.

 

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao visited Railway Central Hospital, CIMS, District Hospital, Apollo Hospital, and other treatment centres, meeting the injured, their families, and doctors. Describing the tragedy as “extremely painful,” he expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families. Sao said the state government has ensured free and proper medical treatment for the injured and directed the district administration to make all necessary arrangements. He added that the state government is continuously and sensitively monitoring the situation