Officials said they will share more information as details of the accident become clearer.
Bilaspur Train Accident: A passenger train has collided with a goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh, leaving at least eight people dead and several others injured, officials said on Tuesday evening. At least two to three peole are still stuck and the authorities are cutting open the train coach to rescue them.
The accident happened when a MEMU train coach hit a goods train near Bilaspur station at about 16:00 hours. Railways said it has “moved all the resources and all measures are being ensured for the treatment of the injured”.
Sharing details about how the accident unfolded, Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal said that the last bogie of the goods train dashed into the passenger train’s first bogie.
Officials said they will share more information as details of the accident become clearer.
Compensation announced for deceased and seriously injured
“A collision occurred today near Bilaspur station between a goods train and a MEMU local. An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs. 5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs. 1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries will be provided.
Relief and rescue operations have been launched. Senior railway officials have reached the site to supervise operations, and the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals. The railway administration is providing all possible assistance and coordination to the affected passengers.
A detailed inquiry will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to ascertain the cause and recommend preventive measures,” said CPRO, South East Central Railway (SECR)
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CM says state govt monitoring situation
“The news of the train accident near Bilaspur is very sad. After receiving information from the Bilaspur District Collector, he has been given instructions regarding all possible assistance and relief work. The state government stands with the affected families during this difficult time,” CM Vishnu Deo Sai said.
बिलासपुर के पास ट्रेन दुर्घटना का समाचार अत्यंत दु:खद है।
बिलासपुर जिला कलेक्टर से जानकारी लेकर उन्हें हरसंभव सहायता और राहत कार्य संबंधित निर्देश दिए गए हैं। राज्य सरकार इस कठिन समय में प्रभावित परिवारों के साथ है।
“Railway and administrative teams immediately launched relief and rescue operations. All necessary resources and medical assistance are being ensured for the treatment of the injured. The state government is monitoring the situation with utmost urgency and sensitivity,” the CM posted on X.
Former CM Raman Singh reacts
Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said the news of the collision between a goods train and a passenger train near Lal Khadan Railway Station in Bilaspur is “extremely heartbreaking”.
“The reports of several coaches derailing and passengers being killed or injured are deeply distressing. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls in this accident and provide patience and strength to their families during this sorrowful time, and along with that, I pray to Maa Mahamaya for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said in a post on X.
Railway issues helpline numbers
The Railways has also issued helpline numbers to help passengers and their relatives deal with the “unexpected situation”
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.
Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:
Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.
Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:
Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.
Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:
Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.
Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
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