Odisha:

At least 290 people were killed and more than 1,175 were left injured in a horrific three-train collision, involving a Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2.

On 2 June 2023, Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express (12841) took the wrong track instead of the main line at the Bahanaga Bazaar station in the Balasore district of Odisha and crashed into a goods train stationed there. Coromandel Express was going at full speed as it was not supposed to stop at the station. In the impact, 21 coaches derailed and three of them jumped onto an adjacent track, through which the Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express (12864) was traveling at the same time. The two rearmost coaches of the Yeshwantpur-Howrah Express also derailed.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said on Twitter that over 200 ambulances had been called to the scene of Friday’s accident in Odisha’s Balasore district and 100 additional doctors, on top of 80 already there, had been mobilized.

On 3 June, more than 1000 laborers, 7 porcelain machines, 2 ART, 1 140-ton railway crane, and 3 road crane at the site were involved in the rescue operation.  162 people from West Bengal died in this accident. 206 people are being treated in the state. 73 people from the state are admitted to various hospitals in Odisha. While 56 people from West Bengal have been discharged from the hospitals in Odisha. 182 people are yet to be identified said by West Bengal Chief Minister. Unidentified bodies are to be preserved for 48 hours before medical disposal, while relatives may claim them with evidence and autopsy results. Capital Hospital waiting for the identification of the remaining bodies as AIIMS doctors prevents decomposition. Free bus services are being arranged from nearby states like Kolkata to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack until train services are restored on the Balasore route following a train accident in Odisha.

Railways will start operating Vande Bharat trains on five routes from June 26, the first launch after the Odisha tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch the semi-high-speed trains via video conferencing. The Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train was canceled after the Odisha tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that “Deeply moved by the condolence messages from world leaders on the train mishap in Odisha. Their kind words will give strength to the bereaved families. Gratitude for their support.”

Ministry of Railway Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a compensation of INR 10 Lakh in case of death, INR 2 Lakh towards grievous, and INR 50,000 for minor injuries. Soon after this, even PMO announced, “An ex-gratia of INR 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the train mishap in Odisha. The injured would be given INR 50000. Even Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of INR 5 lakh to the relatives of the deceased and INR 1 lakh as assistance to those who suffered injuries.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy too, announced a compensation of INR 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, INR 5 lakh to those who suffered injuries, and INR 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injuries.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin announced assistance of INR 5 lakh for the family of the deceased and INR 1 lakh for the injured. Even the Gautam Adani-led Adani Group announced that it would provide free education to the children who lost their parents in the Odisha train accident.

Ministry of Railways opened helpdesks at various railway stations after the Coromandel train accident and shared helpline numbers for the same.

Howrah helpline number: 033-26382217 Kharagpur helpline number: 8972073925, 9332392339 Balasore helpline number: 8249591559, 7978418322 Shalimar helpline number: 9903370746.

Ministry of Railway Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Twitter that the Down-line restoration was completed on the 4^th of June and the Up-line train movement also started on the 5^th of June.

The Railway Board recently held a high-level meeting to discuss safety measures after a triple-train accident in Odisha’s Balasore. The board instructed staff to report all near misses, warned against taking shortcuts, and ordered frequent audits at inter-zonal and inter-divisional levels.

Zonal railways were asked to undertake a maintenance block-rolling block program over the next six months. A block is an arrangement of blocking tracks against the movement of traffic over a particular section. The rolling block program will be made for 26 weeks and will have a daily schedule of work required to be done in a block. This program will be reviewed every week.

Divisional railway managers and zonal heads were instructed to have a program of day-to-day schedule of works required to be done in a block. They have also been instructed to review the program every week.

Senior officials have been asked to make field visits and spend time with their staff counsel and correct them immediately if needed to be done on the spot. Focusing on employees’ well-being, the officials have also been instructed to resolve any issues that the field staff is facing and the matter should be given attention and brought to a logical conclusion.

Workers restore railway tracks at the site where the recent triple-train accident happened the Railway Board is taking steps to improve safety after the triple-train accident in Odisha’s Balasore. By implementing a maintenance block-rolling block program, reviewing day-to-day schedules of work, and emphasizing a culture of safety, the board hopes to prevent future accidents. Additionally, senior officials will make field visits to ensure that employees are following safety protocols and to address any issues they may be facing.