Train services have resumed in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district after a tragic accident involving the Kanchenjunga Express train. The accident, which occurred near New Jalpaiguri station at Rangapani, claimed the lives of 15 people and left around 60 passengers injured. The incident involved a goods train colliding with the Agartala-Sealdah Kanchenjunga Express from behind.
The medical treatment of injured passengers is underway at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri. Restoration efforts have been ongoing since the night of the accident, with trial runs of an engine conducted towards NJP (New Jalpaiguri Junction). The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, Subhendu Kumar Choudhary, stated that the line beside the accident site is expected to be restored within half an hour.
The accident has drawn concern from officials, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Recognizing that the train had several passengers from Assam on board, Sarma expressed his concern and confirmed communication with the Railway Minister. The incident also prompted visits to the North Bengal Medical College by several dignitaries, including West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Bharatiya Janata Party West Bengal Chief Sukanta Majumdar.
The accident involved a wagon of the Kanchenjunga Express train being suspended in the air after a goods train rammed into it at Ruidhasa near Rangapani station. Sealdah Eastern Railway has established a control desk at Rangapani station in response to the incident. The central government has announced an enhanced ex-gratia compensation for the victims of the train mishap, providing families of the deceased with ₹ 10 lakh each, while those with grievous and minor injuries will receive ₹ 2.5 lakh and ₹ 50,000 respectively.
