Passengers of accident hit express train left for Darbhanga by special train, says railway

Passengers of the Darbhanga Bagmati express that met with an accident at Kavaraipettai near here late last night have left for Dharbanga by a special train on Saturday, the southern railway said.

The Train No.12578 Mysuru - Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary goods train at around 8.30 pm on October 11 and the passengers were transported by buses to Ponneri and then to Chennai Central by two EMU specials, the railway said.

“After all the passengers arrived, they were boarded onto the passenger special towards Darbhanga, via Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur,” a release here said.

The passengers were provided with food packets and water and the special train left at 4.45 am, it said.

“It was not supposed to stop here (Kavarapettai station), so it was to pass through it. After leaving Chennai, green signals were given for this train. The driver was following the signals correctly, but the train should have taken the main line. Instead, it took the loop line at the switch, which is where the error occurred,” R N Singh, General Manager of Southern Railway, said.

The reasons for this were a matter of investigation. Seven to eight people have suffered injuries, and there are no casualties, Singh told reporters.

Meanwhile, the southern railway has rescheduled all trains passing through this section.