At least three people were injured after 10 coaches of the Jhelum Express (No. 11078 DN), which was travelling from Jammu to Pune, went off its tracks between Phillaur and Ladhuwal around 3 am on Tuesday. Several other passengers suffered minor injuries.
The train, which had just left the Phillaur station after a halt, went off tracks just 50 m short of the bridge over the Sutlej river near Ladhuwal located close to Ludhiana. Around four trains travelling on the same route have been cancelled due to the derailment.
Rescue operation is underway and medical and relief teams have also reached the site. The injured have been rushed to the hospital. The technical team is also on the spot to identify the cause of derailment.
Coaches from S-1 to S-8, B-5 and the pantry car have been damaged. Several coaches from rail track length of around 20 metres suffered damages, Sub Divisional Magistrate Subhash Chander told the Chandigarh Tribune, adding that the train consisted of 24 bogies.
The engine and the first eight coaches have been moved to Jalandhar, while the rear coaches have been moved to Phillaur. A major tragedy was averted due to the slow speed of the train.
Railway authorities made arrangements for passengers to continue their journey. Some have been sent to Ludhiana by buses, while some passengers who belonged to Jalandhar decided to cancel their journey and return home.
"Senior officials, medical and relief team have reached the accident site. Rescue and restoration work underway. Accident resulted in blockage of traffic on both sides, information on trains to be cancelled and diverted is made available by Northern Railway," Additional Director General (ADG) of Railways Anil Saxena told reporters.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered to identify the cause of derailment of the Jhelum Express.
The trains that have been cancelled are:
- 14682 Jalandhar-New Delhi Intercity
- 12460 Amritsar-New Delhi Intercity
- 12054 Amritsar-Haridwar Janshatabdi
- 12242 Amritsar-Chandigarh Superfast
The authorities have also released helpline numbers for inquiry or any kind of help:
- Jammu: 0191-2470166
- Jallandhar: 0181-2225966
- Ludhiana: 0161-2750501
- Delhi: 011-23342954
- Amritsar: 0183-2225087
- Pathankot: 0186-2233532
