Engine Failure Possible Cause Of Bikaner-Guwahati Train Accident, Says Preliminary Inquiry

The preliminary inquiry into the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train derailment has revealed that a glitch in locomotive equipment led to the accident.

At least nine people died and 42 others were injured after 12 coaches of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailed near Maynaguri in Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Thursday.

Railways has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those who receive grievous injuries and Rs 25,000 for those who suffered simple injuries.

There were 1,053 passengers, including 177 who set off from Bikaner and 98 passengers who got on at Patna junction, on board the train at the time of the derailment.

"Preliminary inquiry shows there was a glitch in locomotive equipment. The Commissioner of Railway Safety is conducting an inquiry to find the root cause behind the accident," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said after visiting the site of the accident.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety has ordered an investigation to probe the Bikaner-Guwahati Express derailment.

Vaishnaw is personally monitoring the situation and has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the rescue operations.

According to the Railways, prima facie, it looks like there was a technical fault in the locomotive of the train. While the equipment failure cannot be ruled out at this stage, a final report will be made after assessment by the Director-General of Safety, who has visited the spot.

The train was running at 90 kmph at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter that she was "deeply concerned" to hear about the "tragic accident". She said senior officials of the state government were supervising rescue and relief operations and those injured would receive medical attention as soon as possible.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also directed two of his ministers to reach West Bengal and coordinate relief measures for the passengers of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express train which derailed in Jalpaiguri.

Railways paid Rs 25,000 each to 26 persons for simple injuries and Rs 1 lakh each to 10 persons for grievous injuries as ex-gratia.

Relatives of nine victims who died in the accident were paid Rs 5 lakh each.

The Railways team made the arrangements overnight and made payments in the least possible time.