Goods Train Derails in West Bengal, Disrupting Rail Traffic

Five wagons of a petrol-laden goods train derailed near Kumedpur station in West Bengal's Malda district, blocking the main line. Authorities are investigating the cause, believed to be an engineering issue. The Accident Relief Train (ART) is working on track restoration, and rail traffic is expected to resume shortly.

In a significant disruption to rail traffic, five wagons of a petrol-laden goods train derailed near Kumedpur station in West Bengal's Malda district on Saturday morning. The incident, which occurred around 10:45 am, blocked the main line of the Katihar division, according to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De.

'A total of five wagons derailed and no one was injured,' De informed PTI, adding that an Accident Relief Train (ART) was immediately dispatched from Katihar to restore the track. One passenger train was temporarily stranded but was later taken back to Katihar to restart its journey once the track is cleared.

NFR sources indicated that the derailment is suspected to have been caused by an engineering issue, although the exact cause will be identified following a detailed inquiry. Katihar Divisional Railway Manager Surendra Kumar confirmed that the down line has been cleared and efforts are underway to restore the up line, with rail traffic between New Jalpaiguri and Katihar expected to resume soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)