In the early hours of Sunday, a calamitous event transpired in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib as two freight locomotives collided, as per railway authorities. The mishap caused one engine to capsize and strike a passenger train on an adjacent track, resulting in injuries to two freight train operators who were subsequently transferred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, officials disclosed.
This incident echoes a similar catastrophe that unfolded in Balasore, Odisha, in 2023. Although the scenario in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib at approximately 4 AM bore resemblance to the prior tragedy, the lower velocity of the trains mitigated the severity of the disaster.
According to gathered intelligence, a coal-laden train was stationed at New Sirhind station within the designated freight corridor, destined for Ropar. Another coal-laden train approached from behind on the same track and collided with the stationary freight train.
The impact caused the freight train’s engine to overturn. Concurrently, a special summer service – train 04681 – journeying from Kolkata to Jammu had departed from Ambala towards Ludhiana. As this train neared New Sirhind station, its reduced speed allowed the operator to halt the train promptly upon colliding with the overturned freight train engine, thus averting a major calamity.
The passenger train, although partially damaged, avoided catastrophic consequences due to the prompt cessation. The track, however, suffered considerable impairment.
Post-accident, the passenger train was redirected to Rajpura with the installation of a substitute engine. Efforts to rectify the damaged track commenced immediately. The collision’s intensity was such that it caused the freight train’s carriages to crash into each other. Railway personnel swiftly arrived at the scene following the incident.
Ratan Lal, the in-charge at Sirhind Government Railway Police (GRP) station, stated that an investigation is underway, and the injured operators were initially admitted to Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital. Identified as Vikas Kumar and Himanshu Kumar, hailing from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Vikas suffered head injuries while Himanshu sustained back injuries. They were initially referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala before being transferred to a civil hospital.
Railway officials affirmed that a thorough inquiry is being conducted, and rail traffic on the Ambala to Ludhiana up line has been suspended. Senior officials from the Railways, GRP, and RPF, along with the Divisional Railway Manager of Ambala division, have reached the accident site.