Kanchanjunga to Dibrugarh Express: Timeline of Major Train Derailments in 2024

New Delhi: India has witnessed a concerning rise in train derailments over the past six months. While the exact causes of these accidents vary, factors such as infrastructure issues, human error, and extreme weather conditions, the recent spurt in train accidents have also forced investigative agencies to look into possibilities of a sabotage or anti-India forces that may like to spread terror. The recent spurt in incidents comes in the backdrop of ISI-backed terrorist Farhatullah Ghori's open threat of harming or attacking India's rail infrastructure. 

On Monday morning, an attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express, heading to Bhiwani from Prayagraj, by hitting an LPG cylinder, but fortunately, the train did not derail. Police also found a petrol-filled bottle and matchboxes on the rail track near the crossing of Muderi village between Barrajpur and Bilhaur stations on the Kanpur-Kasganj route on September 9. 

A gas cylinder placed on the track caused a near-miss for the Kalindi Express near Kanpur. 

Kalindi Express Derailment Video:

A Timeline of Major Train Derailments in India in the past six months.

Major Train Accidents

• Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train derailment (July 18): Three passengers were killed and 29 injured when 21 coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed.
• Kanchanjunga Express accident (June 17): A collision between the Kanchanjunga Express and a goods train in West Bengal claimed 10 lives.
• Sirhind freight train accident (June 2): Two freight trains collided near Sirhind, resulting in injuries.
• Palghar goods carrier derailment (March 29): A goods train carrying steel coils derailed in Palghar, causing significant damage to rail infrastructure.

Other Train Incidents

• Motorcycle scrap incident (August 31): A loco pilot averted a major accident by applying emergency brakes after a goods train collided with motorcycle scrap placed on the railway track in Rajasthan ’s Baran district. 
• Bihar Sampark Kranti Express incident (July 29): Two bogies of the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express detached from the other coaches.
• Fire on Daulatpur-Sabarmati express (June 7): A fire broke out in a passenger train in Jaipur.
• Goods train derailments: Multiple goods train derailments occurred in Odisha , Chhattisgarh , and other states.

The year 2024 has witnessed a concerning number of train derailments across India, resulting in casualties, property damage, and disruptions to rail services.