11th June 2023, Mumbai: Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district recently witnessed a nerve-wracking incident when a passenger train and a goods train found themselves on a collision course on the same track. However, quick thinking by the train drivers prevented a major accident as they managed to bring the trains to a halt just a few feet away from each other. This incident comes shortly after a tragic train accident in Balasore, Odisha, which claimed the lives of 275 people and left over a thousand injured.The incident took place in Bilaspur district, which falls under the South East Central Railway Zone. The two trains involved were a Memu local train and a goods train, which came face to face on the track between Jairamnagar and Kotmisonar in Bilaspur. Thanks to the prompt response of the train drivers, a potential disaster was averted as they successfully stopped the trains in time, avoiding a catastrophic collision.
It is believed that the incident occurred due to a combination of human and technical errors, which were promptly rectified to prevent a major accident. The timely actions of the train drivers played a crucial role in averting a potential tragedy in Bilaspur district.
This incident comes shortly after the devastating train derailment in the Balasore region of Odisha. The tragic accident resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and left thousands injured. In response, the Railway Ministry called for an investigation into the train crash, which occurred near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, approximately 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar.
Following the Balasore train disaster, the Railway Ministry has approved a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the incident. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the railway board has granted permission for the CBI to investigate the matter. Currently, the investigative agency has taken control of the Bahanaga Bazar railway station as part of their ongoing investigation.
The incidents in Bilaspur and Balasore serve as reminders of the critical importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of railway operations. Authorities and railway officials must remain vigilant in identifying and addressing any potential issues to prevent future accidents and ensure the well-being of passengers and railway staff.
Artcile by PRITESH PATEL