At least one person died and 25 others were injured after 11 coaches of the Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express derailed near Nergundi station in Odisha's Cuttack district on Sunday. The incident occurred on Sunday between 6:30 and 7:00 AM near Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station, leading to immediate deployment of emergency response teams.
Senior railway officials, including Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Khurda Road and General Manager of East Coast Railway (ECoR), rushed to the spot to oversee relief and restoration work. The exact cause of the derailment remains unknown, and a detailed inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the reasons behind the accident.
"A special train is being arranged to transport stranded passengers to their destination. We have issued helpline numbers for train passengers and their families. Help desks have also been set up at Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak, and Cuttack railway stations," said an ECoR spokesperson.
Authorities have initiated steps to divert other trains waiting on the route while working towards restoring normal rail traffic. The accident site is being cleared, and rescue teams are ensuring that affected passengers are provided necessary assistance, including alternative transport arrangements.
The derailment comes as Indian Railways continues efforts to enhance railway safety and minimize derailment incidents. This incident underscores the challenges in maintaining rail infrastructure and ensuring passenger safety across high-traffic routes. Officials have assured that updates on the investigation and train diversions will be shared soon.
Helpline numbers issuedBhubaneswar - 8114382371
Bhadrak -9437443469
Cuttack – 7205149591
Palasa – 9237105480
Jajpur Keonjhar Road – 9124639558
