A rear-end collision occurred at Kavarapettai Railway Station around 8:30 p.m., involving Train No. 12578 Mysuru-Dibrugarh-Darbhanga Express, which had LHB coaches. The train had passed Ponneri station at 8:27 p.m. and was cleared to proceed via the mainline at Kavarapettai. However, upon entering the station, the crew experienced a heavy jerk as the train veered into the loop line instead of the mainline, colliding with a stationary goods train at 75 km/hour.
According to Southern Railways’ statement, the train crew is safe, but a parcel van caught fire, which was extinguished by the fire brigade. Approximately 12 to 13 coaches derailed. While no casualties have been reported so far, some passengers sustained injuries and have been moved to nearby hospitals. Both up and down train movements have been halted.
Southern Railways further added that doctors, ambulances, medical relief vans, rescue teams, and senior railway officers are on-site. Most passengers have been rescued, with some taken to hospitals for treatment. Alternative transportation arrangements are being made for the remaining passengers.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety taking a look at the Kavaraipettai Signal Indicator Board, along seen also are AGM/S Rly and DRM Chennai
A 30-member NDRF team from Chennai has been dispatched to the accident site.
Helpline numbers for Chennai Division: 04425354151 and 04424354995
Further details are awaited.
Special train
Meanwhile, the stranded passengers from the train involved in the accident were first transported by buses to Ponneri and then taken to Chennai Central by two EMU specials. From Chennai, they boarded a special train that departed at 4:45 a.m. towards Darbhanga, via Arakkonam, Renigunta, and Gudur.
Track Restoration work at the accident spot
General Manager and Addl General Manager, Southern Railway and Principal Heads of Depts and other officials of Railways are at site over seeing the track restoration work.
All the passengers have been rescued, either moved to Chennai Central to board a special train to Darbhanga, or moved to hospitals as needed.
Restoration work in full swing
Among the injured passengers, three who were grievously injured, were admitted at Stanley Medical College Hospital, and four who had simple injuries were treated at Government Hospital Ponneri. All seven were given Ex-Gratia payment as per norms.
Meanwhile, the stranded passengers of Train No.12578 Mysuru – Darbhanga Bagmati Express which met the accident at Kavaraipettai in Chennai Division around 08.30 pm on 11th October 2024 were transported by buses to Ponneri and to Chennai Central by two EMU Specials in early morning. At Chennai Central, Railway doctors conducted a medical check up for the passengers, after which they were provided food and water and were boarded onto the Passenger Special towards Darbhanga, via Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur.
Restoration work in full swing
The special Train left at 04.45 hrs from Dr MGR Chennai Central. A high level enquiry has been ordered by the Railway into the accident.
Help line numbers at Chennai Division 04425354151, 0442435499
Trains diverted
Train No.12663 Howrah – Tiruchchirappalli Superfast Express that left Howrah at 17.40 hrs on 10th October 2024 is diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, duly skipping stoppage at Chennai Egmore and Tambaram
Train No12511 Gorakhpur – Kochuveli that left Gorakhpur at 06.35 hrs on 10th October 2024 is diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, Katpadi duly skipping stoppage at Dr MGR Chennai Central
Train No.22663 Chennai Egmore – Jodhpur Express scheduled to leave at 15.30 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Gudur.
Train No.22606 Tirunelveli – Purulia Superfast Express that left Tirunelveli at 03.00 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Melpakkam, Renigunta, Gudur, duly skipping stoppage at Arakkonam and Perambur with additional stoppage at Tiruttani
Train No.12603 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Hyderabad Express scheduled to leave at 16.45 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Gudur, duly skipping stoppage at Sulurupetta, and Nayadupetta
Train No.17643 Chengalpattu – Kakinada Port Circar Express scheduled to leave at 16.00 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Gudur, duly skipping stoppage at Gummidipundi, Sulurupetta, and Nayadupetta
Train No.12669 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Chhapra Ganga Kaveri Express scheduled to leave at 17.40 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Gudur.
Train No.12615 Chennai Egmore – New Delhi Grand Trunk Express scheduled to leave at 17.40 hrs on 12th October 2024 will be diverted to run via Arakkonam, Renigunta, Gudur..
Train No.22306 Jasidih – SMVT Bengaluru Express that left at 07.10 hrs on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam duly skipping stoppage at Perambur with additional stoppage at Tiruttani
Train No.22605 Purulia – Tirunelveli Superfast Express that left Purulia at the rescheduled time of 11.20 hrs on 11th October 2024, is diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, duly skipping stoppage at Perambur and Arakkonam with additional stoppage at Tiruttani
Train No.12841 Shalimar – Dr MGR Chennai Central Coromandel Express that left Shalimar at 15.20 hrs on 11th October 2024 is diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Arakkonam to Dr MGR Chennai Central
Train Rescheduled and Diverted
Train No.12656 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Ahmedabad Navjivan Express scheduled to leave at 10.10 hrs on 12th October 2024 is rescheduled to leave at 12.10 hrs (late by 2 hours) and will run via diverted route of Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur, duly skipping stoppage at Sulurupetta.
Train No.03326 Coimbatore – Dhanbad Express Special scheduled to leave at 12.55 hrs on 12th October 2024 is rescheduled to leave at 00.15 hrs on 13th October 2024 (late by 11 hours and 20 minutes) due to late running of pairing train.