GUWAHATI: The locomotive and five passenger coaches of the Kolkata-Sairang Express derailed at Digaru railway station in Assam’s Kamrup (Metro) district on Wednesday morning, prompting the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to launch immediate relief and rescue operations.
The incident involving Train No. 13125 occurred at approximately 6:54 AM on November 11 while the train was being received on a loop line at Digaru station to grant precedence to another train, according to an official statement issued by the NFR.
As per preliminary findings released by the railways, the locomotive pilot lost control over the train’s speed while entering the station, resulting in the derailment of the engine and five trailing coaches. The NFR confirmed that all passengers on board are safe and no injuries have been reported.
Alternative transport arrangements were promptly made to convey the stranded passengers to their respective destinations, while emergency restoration and relief work commenced at the site.
Speaking to ANI over the phone, NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries. He stated that senior railway officials dispatched immediately to oversee the situation following the mishap.
In a formal release carried by ANI, Sharma added that the General Manager of the NFR, accompanied by a team of technical experts, personally proceeded to the spot to supervise restoration efforts.
A local resident told ANI that he rushed to the site, located about 500 metres from the Digaru railway station, after hearing about the derailment while on his morning walk. He observed six derailed units near a residential pocket.
“There were several houses nearby, but fortunately, no one was harmed,” the resident remarked.
While initial local reports speculated a potential brake failure as the cause of the derailment, railway authorities stated that the official investigation is underway to establish the exact technical cause behind the incident. Local residents demanded strict accountability and action against those responsible for the operational lapse.
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