The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety for Northeast Frontier Railway, Janak Kumar Garg, will conduct a mandatory inquiry into the Kanchenjunga Express tragedy, which resulted in eight deaths and 25 injuries. The inquiry is scheduled for June 19 and will commence at 10 am at the ADRM/NJP’s chamber, with the possibility of extension if necessary, as stated in a press release.
According to official communication, “Members of the public with information pertaining to the incident or any related matters may testify at the inquiry on the specified dates or communicate with the chief commissioner of railway safety.”
Following the June 17 accident, several train services were canceled or diverted. Restoration work has been ongoing in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district, where the accident occurred.
Surendra Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Katihar Northeast Frontier Railway, reported, “Restoration efforts have been underway since last night. Trial runs were conducted upline with an engine, two goods trains, and one Shatabdi train heading towards NJP (New Jalpaiguri Junction) yesterday. Due to the accident site, precautions were taken during the trial. The adjacent line will also be restored shortly.”
The Kanchanjungha Express successfully completed its journey to Sealdah station in Kolkata early today after restoration work concluded.
The tragic incident occurred when a goods train allegedly ignored a signal and collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express near Jalpaiguri station in North Bengal at 8:55 am on Monday. The accident happened in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district, resulting in at least eight fatalities and over 25 injuries.
A passenger who experienced the accident expressed anxiety and apprehension, stating, “I was in S7 when the accident occurred. We are very scared after this incident. My parents are also concerned.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee previously criticized the central government for its perceived neglect of the Railways. The Kanchanjungha Express operates between Silchar in Assam and Sealdah in Kolkata.