Kolkata, Jul 17 (PTI) A train rammed a pool car on an open level crossing in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday, killing five people, including two school students, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
The gateman was arrested, and a permanent way inspector of the railways was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty, while angry villagers held a protest at the accident site in Gobindapur, officials said.
“A total of five people died in the accident. It’s unfortunate and heart-wrenching. The gateman has been arrested. Investigation is underway,” Adhikari told reporters.
The accident occurred around 7 am near Karna Subarna Railway Station in the Azimganj-Katwa section of the Eastern Railway’s Howrah division when the pool car carrying students to school attempted to cross the tracks and was hit by the Nimtita-Katwa Passenger train, the officials said.
A bicycle rider crossing the tracks was also struck by the train, they said.
Those injured in the accident were first taken to a local hospital before being shifted to the Baharampur Medical College and Hospital for treatment, the officials said.
Eastern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shibram Majhi said a 10-member team of railway officials had visited the site to investigate the cause of the accident.
He said the railways announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 2.5 lakh for each injured person.
Train services in the Azimganj-Katwa section were disrupted briefly after the accident but resumed after the mangled vehicle was removed from the tracks.
Angry villagers staged a protest at the accident site in Gobindapur, alleging negligence.
Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, Adhikari said on X that negligence would not be tolerated.
“A thorough investigation into the circumstances of this incident will be conducted, and I assure the people of West Bengal that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible,” the chief minister said.
He said the district magistrate and superintendent of police of Murshidabad were at the site since morning, and supervised rescue and relief operations.
“My heart goes out to the families, especially parents of the young students who lost their lives. There are no words to ease such profound pain and the entire state stands with the bereaved families during this dark hour,” he wrote.
The CM said the government would ensure the best medical care for those undergoing treatment.
Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay was personally ensuring that the injured received the best possible treatment at the Baharampur Medical College and Hospital.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Former Baharampur MP and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury visited the accident site and interacted with the locals.
Chowdhury later alleged that the gateman had left the level crossing gate open, which caused the accident.
“When we are running hydrogen trains, we should ensure that basic infrastructure and checks are in place to prevent accidents,” he told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind and Sonipat in Haryana. PTI AMR PNT BDC NSD PNT BDC
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