New Farakka Express derailment: Delhi auto drivers offer free rides to passengers

As a special train carrying around 1,369 passengers of the ill-fated New Farakka Express, which derailed near Rae Bareilly, chugged into the New Delhi railway station on Wednesday, auto drivers queued up outside to ferry them to their destinations within the national capital and NCR free of cost.

The auto drivers lined up their vehicles at the station at around 11 pm and offered free rides to the beleaguered passengers.

Railways too made arrangements for food, water and even had medical staff on standby. Golf carts were pressed into service and wheelchairs provided to help the elderly and sick passengers.

A help booth was also setup. Civil defence volunteers and traffic marshals were also deployed to help passengers with transport arrangements.

At least seven people were killed and nine others seriously injured as nine coaches and the engine of the New Farakka Express (14003) derailed near Rae Bareli earlier on Wednesday, Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Anand Kumar said.

The accident took place in Harchandpur area of Rae Bareli district at 6.10 am, when the train was on its way from Malda in West Bengal to New Delhi.

Around 30-35 people sustained minor injuries while four are critical, Kumar said.