Darjeeling, West Bengal – Train services on the Rangapani-Chattarhat section resumed Monday night, June 17, after a tragic accident involving a goods train and the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express, which resulted in nine fatalities. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has diverted 22 passenger trains to manage the situation, including the New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express and the Silchar-Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express. These diversions add 26 km to their routes, avoiding the affected stretch in Darjeeling district.

Restoration Efforts and Train Diversions

The accident occurred on June 17 in the NFR’s Katihar Division. While the Up line (Guwahati-bound) was restored by 5:40 p.m. the same day, the Down line (Sealdah/Delhi-bound) was operational by 7:30 a.m. on June 18. Despite the restoration, trains are crossing the accident site at limited speeds. Most trains are being rerouted via the Aluabari-Siliguri-New Jalpaiguri route to maintain schedules and alleviate pressure on the restored stretch.

Cancellations and Delays

NFR has canceled six trains, including two Shatabdis and four intercity services, and rescheduled the New Jalpaiguri-New Delhi Superfast Express. The ballasts under the tracks are expected to stabilize within 24 hours, allowing trains to resume normal speeds.

Kanchanjungha Express Reaches Sealdah

The Kanchanjungha Express, which departed from Agartala, arrived in Sealdah at 3:16 a.m. on June 18, about eight hours behind schedule. Passengers were provided medical aid, food, and water during their journey, with support extended at stations like Malda Town and Sealdah.

Official Visits and Investigations

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the injured passengers in the hospital. Preliminary reports suggest that the goods train driver violated speed restrictions, leading to the collision. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.