“It was not supposed to stop here (Kavarapettai station), so it was to pass through it. After leaving Chennai, green signals were given for this train. The driver was following the signals correctly, but the train should have taken the main line. Instead, it took the loop line at the switch, which is where the error occurred,” R N Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, said.
Chennai: The Mysuru – Darbhanga Bagmati Express(Train No.12578 ) collided with a stationary goods train near Chennai at around 8.30 pm on October 11 injuring 19 passengers.
Passengers of the Darbhanga Bagmati express that met with an accident at Kavaraipettai near Chennai here late last night have left for Dharbanga by a special train on Saturday, the southern railway said.
“After all the passengers arrived, they were boarded onto the passenger special towards Darbhanga, via Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur,” a release by the southern railway here said.
The passengers were provided with food packets and water and the special train left at 4.45 am, it said.
“It was not supposed to stop here (Kavarapettai station), so it was to pass through it. After leaving Chennai, green signals were given for this train. The driver was following the signals correctly, but the train should have taken the main line. Instead, it took the loop line at the switch, which is where the error occurred,” R N Singh, general manager of Southern Railway, said.
The reasons for this were a matter of investigation. Seven to eight people have suffered injuries, and there are no casualties, Singh told reporters.
More than half a dozen trains were diverted on Friday night. The railways also issued helpline numbers following the accident.
Expressing shock over the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that he was continuously monitoring the rescue operations and confirmed that the injured passengers had been taken to the hospital.
Taking to X, CM Stalin said, “I was shocked to know that there was a train accident in Kavaripettai, Tiruvallur district. As soon as the information was available, I ordered the Hon’ble Minister @Avadi_Nasar and other government officials including the District Collector to go to the accident site.”
He further said that Minister for Minorities SM Nasar and other officials were directed to reach the accident site.
He added, “The government is working fast in rescue and relief work. The injured are immediately taken to the hospital. A separate team is functioning to arrange food and travel facilities for the other passengers to return home.”
CM Stalin also noted that the fire department is engaged in removing the derailed train coaches. “I am continuing to monitor the rescue operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the southern railway has rescheduled all trains passing through this section.
The government is now deploying Kavach which will be the “future of rail safety,” and has already outlinined plans to install the system in 10,000 locomotives and along 9,000 km of railway tracks in the first phase. A nationwide deployment is targeted for December 2030.