In the wee hours of Monday, eight coaches of the Suryanagari Express derailed close to Pali in Rajasthan. The event happened in the Jodhpur division's Rajkiawas-Bomadra area at 3:27 in the morning. The train was travelling from Bandra Terminus, Mumbai to Jodhpur.
There were no casualties reported, said North Western Railway. Railways has sent a relief train for accidents out of Jodhpur.
"11 coaches were impacted due to derailment of Bandra Terminus-Jodhpur Suryanagari Express train. No casualties reported yet. Higher officials have reached the spot. Buses have been arranged for stranded passengers so that they can reach their destinations," the Chief PRO, North Western Railway told ANI.
The derailment critically injured one and others sustained minor injuries and they were admitted to Bangur hospital in Pali. Reportedly, an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh will be given to the seriously injured passenger while 16 others of 26 admitted to the hospital will be given Rs 25,000.
Passenger recalls incident
"Within 5 minutes of departing from Marwar junction, a vibration sound was heard inside the train and after 2-3 minutes, the train stopped. We got down & saw that at least 8 sleeper class coaches were off the tracks. Within 15-20 minutes, ambulances arrived," a passenger told ANI.
Helpline numbers
The CPRO, North Western Railway, shared helpline numbers passengers or concerned family members could reach out to. Here's the list:
Helpline numbers for passengers & concerned family members:
For Jodhpur: 02912654979, 02912654993, 02912624125, 02912431646
For Pali Marwar: 02932250324
Passengers and their families can also contact- 138 and 1072- for any information
Rail traffic affected
Transfer of train services (from originating station)
1. 22476, Coimbatore-Hisar train service dt 31.12.22 will be operated via Marwar Junction-Madar-Phulera-Medtha Road-Bikaner.
2. Train number 14708, Dadar-Bikaner, will be diverted via Marwar Junction-Madar-Phulera-Medtha Road.
3. 22663, Chennai Egmore-Jodhpur train service commencing from Chennai Egmore on 31.12.22 will be operated via Marwar Junction-Madar-Phulera-Medtha Road.
4. The 19224 Jammu Tawi-Ahmedabad train commencing on 01.01.23 will be diverted via Luni-Bhildi-Palanpur.
5. 14801 (Jodhpur-Indore) 02.01.23 (Jodhpur-Medtha Road-Phulera-Madar-Chandigarh)।
6. 15013, Jaisalmer-Kathgodam train commencing from Jaisalmer will be diverted via Jodhpur-Medtha Road-Phulera.
7. 14707, Bikaner-Dadar train commencing from Bikaner on 02.01.23 will be operated via Luni-Bhildi-Patna-Mehsana route.
8. 16312, Kochuveli-Sri Ganganagar train commencing on 31.12.22 from Kochuveli will be diverted via Mehsana-Patna-Bhildi-Luni.
9. Train number 11090, Pune-Bhagat Ki Kothi, will be operated via Mehsana-Patna-Bhildi-Luni route.
10. Train number 15014, Kathgodam-Jaisalmer, will be diverted via Phulera-Medtha Road and will leave Kathgodam at 01.01.23.
11. 19223, Ahmedabad-Jammu Tawi train journey commencing on 02.01.23 will be diverted via Mehsana-Patna-Bhildi-Luni.
12. 14802, Indore-Jodhpur train commencing from Indore on 02.01.23 will be diverted via Chandaria-Madar-Phulera-Medta road.
Cancellation (from starting station)
1. The 14821 Jodhpur-Sabarmati train journey will remain cancelled.
2. The 14822 Sabarmati-Jodhpur train commencing on December 4 will remain cancelled.
Restoration work underway
The restoration work in full swing at the site where 8 coaches derailed in Pali. Visuals of the same has surfaced online wherein the officials were seen using cranes to lift the coaches from tracks.
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