The death toll from Tuesday’s train collision near Bilaspur railway station has climbed to 11, with 20 others injured, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The crash occurred around 4 p.m. when a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train travelling from Gevra in Korba district to Bilaspur rammed into a stationary goods train.
According to a statement from Indian Railways, rescue and relief operations were launched immediately after the accident, and the injured have been admitted to Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur for treatment.
Eyewitnesses and officials said the impact of the collision was so severe that one of the passenger coaches was flung on top of a wagon from the freight train. Preliminary findings suggest the passenger train overshot a red signal and hit the goods train at a speed of 60–70 kmph.
Jalgaon train accident: Seven Nepalese among 13 dead“It is now under investigation why the loco pilot failed to stop despite the signal being red and the goods train clearly visible ahead,” said a senior railway official.
The loco pilot of the passenger train, Vidya Sagar, was among those killed, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries. The brake van of the goods train bore the brunt of the impact, with extensive damage reported. The guard of the goods train narrowly escaped with minor injuries after jumping out moments before the collision.
Indian Railways has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an additional ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
A detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the precise cause of the crash and recommend preventive measures.
The tragic collision has once again raised questions over railway safety protocols and signal adherence, particularly in densely trafficked zones such as Bilaspur.
