Another train derails in Odisha after deadly triple train collision in Balasore

On its way from Dunguri to Bargarh in Odisha, five bogies of a freight train carrying limestone derailed on a private narrow gauge rail line on Monday morning.

Officials said the accident occurred inside a private siding – one that’s owned by a company and its operations and maintenance are not done by the Indian Railway system.

The incident comes just days after a rare triple train collision in Balasore district of the state killed over 270 people, while injuring at least 1,100 others to varying severities.

Police have already reached the spot in Bargarh and initiated an investigation. No casualties have been reported so far.

There is a private narrow gauge rail line running between Dungri Limestone Mines and Cement Plant of ACC Bargarh.

According to the East Coast Railway, the incident has no link to the Indian Railway system, as all the infrastructure including train tracks and wagons is maintained by the cement company.

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The triple train collision from Friday involved Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train.

Three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence around 7 pm near the Bahanaga Bazar station, about 170 km north of Bhubaneswar and 250 km south of Kolkata.

The tragedy in possibly a century claimed hundreds of lives, while scores of others are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Odisha.

The Railways has struck through system malfunctioning and driver error, indicating potential ‘sabotage’ and tampering with the electronic interlocking system.

While the Railway Board has recommended a CBI investigation into the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Odisha government have announced compensation for the bereaved families and the injured.