In a major railway mishap, 22 coaches of the Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, early Saturday morning. The train, traveling from Varanasi to Sabarmati, was carrying hundreds of passengers when it went off the tracks around 2:30 am near Bhimsen, shortly after departing from Kanpur. The incident has led to a significant disruption on one of the key railway routes, causing panic among the passengers.
According to the North Central Railway (NCR) senior public relations officer, Shashikant Tripathi, the derailment was triggered when the engine of the Sabarmati Express hit an object placed on the tracks. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw later confirmed the incident, stating that the engine hit a boulder, leading to the derailment. The impact caused significant damage to the engine’s cattle guard, and sharp hit marks were observed on the track. The minister also mentioned that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Uttar Pradesh Police are investigating the incident, ensuring that all evidence is secured.
Emergency teams, including police and administrative personnel, promptly arrived at the site, working through the early hours to safely rescue all passengers. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. However, the incident caused considerable panic, with passengers waking up to a loud noise and the unsettling experience of their coaches shaking. “I got very scared, but the train stopped,” a passenger named Vikas told reporters.
The derailment has led to the cancellation of seven trains and the diversion of three others, as the route remains completely blocked. This section is crucial for trains traveling from Kanpur towards Mumbai, and the disruption is expected to have a ripple effect on train schedules in the region.
In response to the incident, Indian Railways has dispatched buses to facilitate the transfer of stranded passengers back to Kanpur. The Railways have also set up emergency helpline numbers for passengers and their families, providing contact details for key stations affected by the incident.
As investigations continue, Indian Railways is working to restore normalcy on the route and ensure the safety of passengers in the future.
