“Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidence is protected. IB and UP police are also working on it. No injuries to passengers or staff,” Indian Railways Minister said. | Photo Credit: ANI
As many as 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express (19168) passenger train, which runs from Varanasi to Ahmedabad, derailed between Kanpur and Bhimsen stations in Uttar Pradesh early on Saturday morning after its engine struck an object on the tracks. No casualties or injuries have been reported yet.
According to the Railways, the loco pilot believed that some boulder hit the cattle guard (front portion) of the engine, badly damaging it.
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Train wheel derailed at Kanpur as it hit an object on the track | Photo Credit: ANI
After the derailment, the Railways cancelled seven trains and diverted three others. The passengers of Sabarmati Express were put on another train to Ahmedabad.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that evidence was being protected with teams of Uttar Pradesh police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) working on it. “The engine of Sabarmati Express (Varanasi to Ahmedabad) hit an object placed on the track and derailed near Kanpur at 02:35 am today. Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidence is protected. IB and U.P. police are also working on it. No injuries to passengers or staff. Train arranged for passengers for onward journey to Ahmedabad,” he wrote on X.
Railways and law enforcement agencies were looking into the involvement of anti-social elements in the incident as a Patna-Indore train had crossed the tracks uninterrupted an hour before the Sabarmati Express.
The Railways also issued the following helpline numbers:- Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353, Tundla: 7392959702, Ahmedabad: 07922113977, Banaras City: 8303994411, Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088. Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Jn) -0510-2440787 and 0510-2440790, Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015, Mirzapur: 054422200097, Etawah: 7525001249, Orai -05162-252206, Banda-05192-227543, Lalitpur Jn: 07897992404.
