12 coaches of Poorva Express derail, no casualty

Twelve coaches of Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express derailed shortly after leaving Howrah station at 8.15 am today.

There was, however, no casualty or injury to any passenger as the train was moving at a very slow speed when the accident occurred, Eastern Railway sources said.

They said 11 sleeper coaches and a pantry car of 12381 Up New Delhi-bound train derailed while entering Liluah station at about 8.27 am, disrupting movement of trains in Up & Down Howrah-Barddhaman Chord line and Up Howrah-Bandel Main line.

Train movement in Howrah-Barddhaman Main line section was, however, maintained through reversible line and Down Main line, they said. The general manager of the Eastern Railway along with senior officers rushed to the spot to expedite restoration work. A five-member enquiry committee, headed by the chief safety officer of Eastern Railway, was set up by the Commissioner of Railway Safety to look into the cause of the accident.

Three helpline numbers - 033-2641-3660, 033-2640-2241 and 033-2640-2242 were provided by ER authorities for getting information related to the derailment.

A special train carrying passengers of the derailed train left at around 3 PM, the sources added.