At least 13 lives were tragically lost, and 15 others sustained injuries in a harrowing train accident near Pachora in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. Panic caused by a false fire alarm led passengers of the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express to jump onto adjacent tracks, where they were struck by the Karnataka Express. Authorities have announced financial aid for the victims’ families as investigations are underway.
What Led to the Tragic Incident?
The accident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade railway stations on Wednesday evening, around 4:45 pm. Officials reported that a passenger pulled the chain on the Pushpak Express, halting it unexpectedly. Misinterpreting smoke from the train as a fire hazard, passengers panicked and alighted onto the adjacent railway tracks.
Unfortunately, the Bengaluru-Delhi Karnataka Express was approaching at the same time. The oncoming train couldn’t stop in time, resulting in the deaths of 13 passengers.
Contrary to initial fears, railway authorities confirmed that there was no fire or spark inside the coach. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of the Railway Board, stated, “We have verified reports, and no evidence of fire or smoke was found in the affected coach.”
Government’s Response and Financial Aid
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences from Davos, Switzerland, where he was attending the World Economic Forum. He announced a financial aid package of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased. “The tragic loss of lives is deeply distressing. My heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives,” Fadnavis wrote on X.
In addition, the Railway Ministry declared an ex-gratia payment:
- ₹1.5 lakh for the families of the deceased.
- ₹50,000 for those with severe injuries.
- ₹5,000 for passengers with minor injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Commissioner of Railway Safety to Investigate
Manoj Arora, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Central Circle, is set to lead the investigation into the accident. Arora is scheduled to visit the accident site on Thursday. The probe will focus on the series of events that led to the tragic chain of decisions, including why passengers believed there was a fire on the train.
Special Inspector General of Police Dattatraya Karale stated that eight of the victims have been identified, and efforts are ongoing to contact their families.
Key Facts About the Incident
- The accident involved two trains: Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express and Bengaluru-Delhi Karnataka Express.
- The Karnataka Express struck passengers on the tracks when the Pushpak Express was stopped.
- The incident happened over 400 km from Mumbai, near Pachora town in Jalgaon.
- Pushpak Express resumed its journey within 15 minutes, while Karnataka Express moved on 20 minutes after the accident.
Impact on Families and Immediate Action Taken
Railway officials worked quickly to restore train services at the accident site. However, the emotional impact on families is immeasurable. Many relatives of the victims arrived at the scene to identify bodies, some of which were identified using Aadhaar cards found at the site.
Locals and emergency personnel joined hands to assist in rescuing and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. The survivors are receiving medical attention, and authorities are offering counseling to those traumatized by the event.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The Jalgaon train accident has highlighted critical areas for improvement in railway operations and passenger safety. Immediate action steps being considered include:
- Enhancing communication to prevent panic during emergencies.
- Revisiting procedures for handling chain-pulling incidents.
- Installing better surveillance systems to detect potential hazards.
The Railway Ministry has emphasized the importance of the CRS investigation in preventing such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, grief-stricken families are left grappling with an unimaginable loss.
